Issue 1472

Relationships | Page 16

Inside the Star and Shadow Cinema

Ranking of campus buildings

Student Council vote triggers early referendum on NUS UK affiliation

Jess Mooney - Head of Current Affairs

86% of students vote to hold an NUS UK affiliation referendum in March 2026...

At the November council, the motion “Should our Students’ Union Disaffiliate from NUS UK?” passed with 86% in favour. While the Students’ Union is only required to hold a referendum on its affiliation with the National Union of Students (NUS) every three years, passing the motion has triggered an early vote, scheduled to take place during the annual Student Elections in March 2026.

The motion’s proposer argued that: “the continued affiliation does not represent good value for money, nor does it effectively advance the interests or wellbeing of our students.”

“the continued affiliation does not represent good value for money.”

They claimed that NUS UK has failed to represent marginalised student communities, particularly proPalestinian activists, and this perceived lack of representation undermines student trust and the SU’s legitimacy. “My problem with it comes down to fair representation. I do not want to pay them money for them to not represent.”

Affiliation with NUS UK currently costs the Students’ Union £30,000 per year. NUSU President for 2025/26, Ilsa Hartley, said: “the expenditure could absolutely be justified if students felt like they were being provided with a service that we alone could not provide. From the motion that went through Council, it’s clear that students are not happy with what they’re getting from NUS.”

NUSU Student Representation Intern and Engagement Rep, Oliver

Tierney, echoed this view, saying, “I think it’s not worth £30,000 a year. The amount we could do with that money is remarkable.”

Ilsa added: “They claim to represent all students, but students say they fail to represent any of them. If their entire job is to represent students and students argue that they can’t do that, what is the point?”

The SU must ensure its external affiliations remain consistent with its charitable objectives of advancing education, supporting student welfare, and representing student interests, and many students have contended that affiliating with NUS UK no longer aligns with these aims.

Although the next affiliation referendum would not usually take place until 2028, students argued that the 2025 vote lacked sufficient context and knowledge of NUS UK, and what they provide students and Students’ Unions.

Ilsa agreed with this, stating the need for clearer information ahead of the referendum: “People heard the word ‘Union’ and associated that with organisation, community, and strength in numbers. But their recent actions have made people more aware of them now. I don’t think

the decision made last year was an informed one, and this one needs to be.”

“Despite

the hypocrisy of the NUS, I still believe we are better off with NUS.”

The motion’s proposer echoed this, saying: “Last year there was no real dialogue between for or against the campaign, students weren’t really aware of NUS UK.”

One student ran a campaign for Say Yes to NUS, but none came forward to go against remaining affiliated with the NUS.

Joe Morris, the student that led the Say Yes to NUS campaign during March 2024 elections, said that: “The decision to remain in the NUS was one in which 71% of students voted for. Despite the hypocrisy of the NUS, I still believe we are better off in the NUS. I believed it in March, and I believe it now.”

Now, students have become more aware of NUS UK due to their controversial approach to ProPalestinian activism in Students’ Unions. Joe Morris believes many students are

against NUS affiliation now, because they do not represent all student voices.

Speaking to The Courier, the motion’s proposer said: “NUS UK are not genuine. They have demonstrated no real-term action for student activists who are being punished for their demonstrations for Palestine. It took them two years to acknowledge the genocide, and conveniently only did it once the UN had.”

“urging sabbatical officers to withdraw their signatures or risk being barred from NUS events.”

Pressure on NUS UK regarding its stance on Palestine has grown over the past two years. In July 2025, the campaign group Not My NUS, a coalition of student activists and organisations, wrote to NUS raising concerns about its silence on the situation in Palestine. The letter was supported by more than seventy sabbatical officers, one hundred and twenty student

groups, and ten institutional bodies.

The Not My NUS group claims that NUS UK did not respond, instead issuing a letter to union CEOs urging them to pressure sabbatical officers to withdraw their signatures or risk being barred from NUS events.

The motion’s proposer said: “They could do more for student activists… and they have refused to do more every single time, unless they are publicly called out it seems.”

Oliver, Student Representation Intern at NUSU, also criticised NUS UK’s record on wider student issues: “NUS have not only never campaigned against tuition fees, they have often actively supported them and actively punished those who spoke out against them. It’s not just that NUS is an inactive organisation; it is an organisation that actively punishes, bans, and sacks people for going against the agenda.”

“the student community can, has, and will continue to be capable of doing these things for themselves.”

Ilsa concluded that: “the student community can, has, and will continue to be capable of doing these things for themselves. When the student community is so strong, I think our resources can be used better than through affiliation to this organisation.”

It is clear students are passionate about advocating for their rights and needs, but whether NUS UK is the best representative for this will be revealed in the next few months of campaigning on campus. Joe Morris said that: “I believe we are better off together. I believe Newcastle students are better off in a national union that represents their interests and advocates for students on a national and international level.” Students will be able to vote on whether to remain affiliated with or leave NUS UK between 3 and 5 March 2026. The result will only be binding if turnout reaches at least 5% of the total student body. Students will have the opportunity to campaign on both sides of the question. Further information on campaigning will be released on 20 January 2026. Enquiries can be directed to studentvoice.union@newcastle.ac.uk.

Happy Holidays from your Editor!

Hello everyone!

I’m sure we’re all looking forward to a break; as much as I love winter months, even the weather, I hate the dark mornings and waking up in what feels like the dead of night. I’ll be spending this winter break back home in the Lake District with my family and my lovely dog, Beau (a lovely golden retriever). I have missed them all so much, and I’m more than ready to spend the holidays with them. I hope our editorial team, volunteers, writers, and readers all have a restful, relaxing, and (somewhat) productive break, and come back ready for semester two!

My first semester as Student Media Officer is coming to a close, and it’s been a busy one! I can’t believe my term as a sabbatical officer is nearly over...

Every branch of student media has been well-occupied - we’ve produced five issues of the Courier, NSR have had radio shows live on air for six weeks, and NUTV’s first production was a roaring success.

NUTV have just taken on two new execs after their incredible work on the Fight Night production; Estrella and Ameya will start as Heads of Communications and Productions in January. The NSR team have been excellent across the board, too, from their success with scheduling over 50 shows, hosting volunteers at events, to

Article Highlights:

Current Affairs |

Will Mamdani’s win inspire UK politics?

By Martha Nugent |

Page 6

Life & Style |

From mince pie to peppermint: the best seasonal hot chocolates in Newcastle

By Jemima Ashton-Roberts | Page 19

Culture |

The Booker Prize: why are female writers not getting the recognition they deserve?

By Hannah Green | Page 27

Sports |

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: an impact on modern cheerleading

By Kate Sturrock | Page 30

On Air On Campus

"Rethinking all the stories we've absorbed" with 'girls on film'

By Megan Grimston | Page 10

opening sign-ups for podcasts - which are still open! The editorial team at the Courier will also be expanding in January, so keen writers should keep their eyes on our social media.

We’ve also had lots of our team send nominations into the Student Publication Association regional awards, and hope to attend the conference York University’s Nouse will host. Next term will be time for our own Media Awards and SPA’s National Conference, so we should have plenty to celebrate this year.

Hi everyone! My name is Gabbi, and I have the absolute pleasure of being your Student media Officer and Editor-In-Chief this year. Over the summer, I’ve been working hard behind the scenes alongside the Editorial team and NUSU to bring you this Freshers’ issue. Not only will you find loads of incredible articles written by our fantastic sub-editors, you’ll also find a one-stop guide to Freshers’ week, including an introduction to the Freshers’ week assistants who have put together an amazing programme of daytime activities for you all.

That’s all my updates! Have an amazing time off, whatever you’re doing. Happy holidays!

Freshers’ week is a time to get to know more about Newcastle

Want to get involved? Come see us!

Student Media Afternoons will resume in 2026!

THE COURIER SECTIONS

Editor

Libby Griffiths l.griffiths9@newcastle.ac.uk

Social Media

Trinity Eadie t.eadie2@newcastle.ac.uk

Current Affairs

Heads of Current Affairs

Oscar Jenkins o.jenkins1@newcastle.ac.uk

Jess Mooney j.mooney2@newcastle.ac.uk

News

Phillipp Andreewitch

Ben Moore

Katy Woods

Campus Comment

Callum Borkowski

Scarlett Palmer

Opinion

Scarlet Davies

Sophie Psaila

Emma Stephenson

Science

Charlotte Chantler

Sapphire Ling

Life & Style

Deputy Editors

Adam Lovegrove a.lovegrove2@newcastle.ac.uk

Dylan Seymour d.seymour1@newcastle.ac.uk

Heads of Life & Style

Charlotte Burley-Hnat c.burley-hnat2@newcastle.ac.uk

Ruby Tiplady r.tiplady2@newcastle.ac.uk

Relationships

Elin Auld

Ursula Monro

Blind date and Agony Aunt: Charley Dobson

Lifestyle

Erin Neal

Izzy Whitley

Fashion & Beauty

Ella Saint

Mia Wijayatilleke

Travel

Tilly Aveyard

Sophie Jarvis

Food & Drink

Rowanne Holmes

Culture

Heads of Culture

Keira Gratton

k.e.gratton2@newcastle.ac.uk

Amy Mescus

a.mescus1@newcastle.ac.uk

Music

Emma Monaghan

Milly Thompson

TV

Maddy Kendall

Kate Kennedy

Film

Charlotte Atkinson

Zoe Lett

Alex Paine

Gaming

Emily-Maisy Milburn

Keyon Snoek

Arts

Phoebe Clark

Imogen Hayes

Puzzles

Raven Orteza

Ruby Tinkler

Sport

Senior editor: Noelia Fernandez Perez

n.fernandez-perez2@newcastle.ac.uk

Cowie

Megan Grimston

Aarya Shenoy

Newcastle Xmas Markets

open amid controversy

Mia Hennebry

Why local’s aren’t happy about the opening of the Christmas markets...

TThe 2024 festive period brought 1.76 million visits to the markets, and Newcastle City council have placed emphasis on the ‘significantly positive impact on the local economy’ that the market has had in previous years.

“...significantly positive impact on the local economy...”

This year’s Christmas market boasts many familiar faces such as Acropolis, Redhead’s Mac ‘N’ Cheese, and North Shore Coffee Co. – allowing patrons

to enjoy local favourites whilst getting into the festive spirit. However, not all Newcastle-based small businesses will reap the benefits that the busy Christmas season brings. Friday Vintage, a secondhand clothing shop located in Old Eldon Square, has faced issues with vans stocking the Christmas Village segment of the market resulting in blockages of the

“...Laura Jackson stated business is a ‘total dud’...”

matters worse, one of the stalls was serving coffee – something that was likely to decrease footfall into Priory

Newcastle City Council and NE1 responded to Priory Press’ concerns by moving the rival coffee stall, and giving Priory Press the chance to operate out of the now vacated stall until the Christmas market closes

Similarly, Priory Press, a café situated on Nelson Street, shared a post on Instagram in which they encouraged people to visit their city centre location, after realising their store was covered by market stalls. To make

Rival student landlord firms join forces in £723m merger

Benjamin Moore - News Sub-Editor

Two rival student landlord groups are set to merge.

Unite Group has agreed to acquire rival UK student landlord Empiric Student Property in a cash and stock deal. Shareholders of Empiric will receive 32p in cash and 0.085 shares of Unite for each share of Empiric. The deal initially valued Empiric at £723 million, however weakness in Unite’s share price has moved that valuation lower.

“...the moves amid a worrying decline in international students”

The move comes amid a worrying decline in international students attending British universities. Student visa applications for the year ending August 2025 were down 13% from their peak in 2023, according to home office data.

The decline is attributable to changes in Government policy regarding dependants, which meant that most international students can now no longer bring family members to the UK. However, sponsored study visa main applicants in the year ending August 2025 were 2% higher than the year ending August 2024.

Unite and Empiric own ten major properties in Newcastle, including

Wellington St Plaza and Metrovick House. Unite focuses on providing halls of residence, largely consisting of first year students. Whereas Empiric offers premium accommodation, catering to older and more affluent students, often from an international background.

“...both firms have observed a weakening in demand”

Since the announcement of the merger both firms have observed a weakening in demand. Unite saw a 3% decrease in bookings by foreign students, driven by stricter immigration rules introduced earlier this year. Empiric also signalled that recent policy proposals to decrease the graduate visa route from 24 to 18 months were weighing on international student demand.

Both firms remain optimistic about the future of UK universities, despite recent market worries. Their combined portfolio consists of locations surrounding predominantly Russell Group Universities, which are highly regarded on the international scene.

Outside of the US (which has been less than welcoming to international students as of late) the UK has more top ranked universities than any other country.On the 10th of November, the University of Nottingham made the decision to suspend 48 courses, across 15 subject areas for September 2026 entry, whilst they consider a permanent closure of some studies.

Both undergraduate and postgraduate students will be able to complete the affected courses, but those on a foundation year will not be able to progress onto their chosen degree.

Nottingham Uni suspends 48 courses

extracurriculars.

Nottingham University suspends courses over 15 subjects for Septemer 2026.

On the 10th of November, the University of Nottingham made the decision to suspend 48 courses, across 15 subject areas for September 2026 entry, whilst they consider a permanent closure of some studies.

Both undergraduate and postgraduate students will be able to complete the affected courses, but those on a foundation year will not be able to progress onto their chosen degree.

The University cite financial pressures and low demand for the proposed closure of the courses. Some courses they plan to close include Music, and Modern Languages. However, the University want to keep some facilities, including music and language resources, so that students can enjoy the disciplines as

“...comitted to training doctors, nurses, and midwives...”

Children’s and Mental Health Nursing are also amongst the suspended courses, but the University has said it remains “committed to training doctors, nurses, midwives and healthcare professionals”.

“some students found out about course closure via social media”

As a result of the course suspensions, faculty restructure is also planned from September 2026. This will include downsizing from five faculties comprising 26 schools, to three faculties of 10 schools. Some students found out about course closures via social media platforms, something that the University have apologised for.

Fenwick 2025 festive window is revealed

A Newcastle Christmas tradition pays homage to a Dicken’s classic. Ruby Tinkler - Food & Drink Sub-Editor

On Sunday 2nd

November, Fenwick’s Northumberland Street storefront kickstarted the festive season in the toon, unveiling their iconic Christmas window display with A Christmas Carol theme. The event was reserved for a small number of guests, including children and families from Fenwick’s partner institutions among select prize draw winners, and was not accessible to the public. Instead, the reveal was livestreamed across Fenwick’s social media platforms and ever since crowds have been gathering to enjoy the first taste of Christmas.

it is known for its elaborate designs and beautiful storytelling, and this year’s window certainly lives up to its reputation.

“...the reveal was livestreamed across Fenwick’s social media platforms...”

Inspired by Charles Dickens’ classic

The Fenwick Christmas window is an institution in the Geordie festive calendar; it has been an annual staple since it first appeared in 1971. Famous across the UK and beyond,

stage of Scrooge’s journey from a selfish, coldhearted businessman to a generous, compassionate member of his community. The display encapsulates all the magic of the beloved story, whilst also reflecting on its powerful moral message. The designs were masterminded by author and illustrator Chris Riddell, who expressed his excitement ‘to be asked to produce designs for Fenwick’s Christmas windows again this year.’ After the success of last year’s Twelve Days of Christmas window, he ‘couldn’t resist

the challenge’ of bringing such a The previous years saw The Twelve Days of Christmas, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Fenwick’s christmas window will be bringing festive cheer to

“Inspired by Charles Dickens’ classic novel, each window charts a stage of Scrooge’s journey...””

Northumberland Street until the beginning of January next year.

Campus Comment

Ava Bell

A guide on how to make every day student life feel less boring.

I’d argue that the student experience is a unique one.

I doubt there will be a point throughout the rest of our lives where it is completely normalised to go to the local pub dressed in full costume on a weekday, knocking back pints like water, dressed as a minion or a Disney

particular low point. Enter today’s buzzword: romanticisation. I’m sure if you are a resident Tik Tok doomscroller (like myself) you will have seen this term peppered through your For You Page, coupled with tantalising montages of aesthetic coffee shops and reformer pilates classes. But, to me, ultimate romanticisation comes from a dense feeling of contentment, which I believe can be found in simple tasks rather than the influencer fuelled extravagance we see all over social media. I’ve put together some tips on how to make the monotony of the 9am feel less like a prison sentence and more like an intellectual pursuit, which is just one example of putting a positive spin on your daily student tasks.

“...use

your in a Rom-Com. Make a playlist that you listen to specifically when you make it, and pick songs that create the energy you want for your day. Wear that top you’ve been saving for a ‘special occasion’, because, in the wise words of Joan Didion - ‘every day is all there is’. That quote is so profound to me in the way that it reveals how we should treat everyday as a special one, and our daily tasks are ones that we should pour over, take our time with, and most importantly, enjoy.

your favourite mug, take sips like your in a Rom-Com”

Much of romanticisation to me is about curation. Crafting habits and rituals that feel inherent to yourself and your personality is one way in which you can start to tap into that ‘main character energy’ (yes, I’m aware I am chronically online). For example, something as simple as making your morning coffee can be intentional rather than a chore. Be selective: put in your favourite flavours, use your favourite mug, take sips like

Enjoying everyday can be hard, especially if we feel bored or stuck in a rut. Creating daily, self-reflective rituals is one way we can tackle this, but I think that rewards are another way that we can romanticise everyday. Rewards can be anything, and are completely personal to you and your circumstances - they don’t always have to cost money. There are so many beautiful experiences that are completely free and give us something to look forward to, especially in Newcastle. The Laing Art Gallery is somewhere to look around on a cold afternoon, whilst Jesmond Dene is the perfect place for a chilly morning walk listening to your favourite playlist. As it is Christmas time, walking through Newcastle city centre to see the markets lit up and music playing provides a gorgeous, cosy feel. After a long week of uni work, it’s important to indulge in little luxuries to remind ourselves we’re doing well and keep going!

Image

Are STEM degrees more valuable than art degrees?

Kate Sturrock

Are arts degrees undervalued at the expense of science degrees?

In a world where capitalism thrives, and societal success is equated to how much money you make, it is easy to see why science and STEM degrees are often seen as more valuable.

These are the degrees that are supposedly the “money makers.”

STEM is an ever-growing employment sector that is heavily funded and will always need university graduates to fill job roles. You tell someone you are studying accounting or biology, or engineering, and they don’t bat an eye. You tell someone you are studying art or media, or English and thier eyebrows are raised.

To say my degree, alongside other humanities and art degrees, lacks value is comparable to saying that my passion lacks value. There is value in passion, which often goes unacknowledged in favour of supporting degrees which are more likely to contribute monetarily to society. One of my favourite quotes is from the book Dead Poets Society, in which teacher Mr Keating

states, “medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.” I have always loved this quote, and I believe it completely summarises the starting question.

Sadif Rahman Newcastle

University Debating Society discusses their victory at the Norwich Mini.

Newcastle University Debating Society (NUDS) has kicked off the year with its first-ever tournament victory at Norwich Mini 2025. From averaging 6 debaters per weekly session last year, we’ve grown into nearly 90 members this year with Sadif Rahman, Emily Simpson, Roza Bacha, and Lily Pepper on the committee! We meet twice a week (Mondays and Thursdays) and have serious debates, training sessions, and some unstructured sessions too.

We follow the British Parliamentary (BP) debate formata systematic structure of discourse with 4 teams 2 members. This is the most prestigious university-level debate format as it requires

critical thinking and intense engagement. For our first tournament of the academic year, we had decided to go to Norwich Mini 2025. We sent two teamsNewcastle A (Sadif Rahman and Emy Chen) and Newcastle B (Rebecca Healey and Safia Adia).

The journey there itself took us 15 hours to get down there (we blame the bus routes), but after a night of muchneeded rest, our teams made their way to the tournament, bustling with teams from universities across England.

“"Newcastle delivered a good start to the tournament with team A and B placing 1st and 2nd respectively.”

Round 1 was an interesting discourse regarding the banning of nonprivate commercial vehicles in major metropolitan cities. Newcastle delivered a good start to the tournament with team A and B placing 1st and 2nd respectively. Round 2 tested our

knowledge of American politics. This was our first hurdle, as Newcastle A came 4th and Newcastle B came 3rd. This was seriously demotivating, as it had hurt our chances to make it to the finals. Statistically, we would both need to place at least 1st and 2nd in the next 2 rounds to stay in contention.

“These

high placements put us back in the running to win the competition”

Round 3 was a success with Newcastle B coming 1st and A coming 2nd in a debate regarding the impacts of different forms of humour. These high placements put us back in the running to win the competition.

Round 4 was closed (the results would be kept secret), which exponentially increased the tension and suspense.

After an insightful debate on mental healthcare facilities, both teams were anxiously anticipating the announcements.

“"The winner is Newcastle A!”

The finalist announcement was met with cheers- both Newcastle teams had earned places in the finals! The final motion challenged teams to comprehend and analyse complex

Both types of degrees have value, but ultimately it comes down to whether you see that value in money or in passion. When I graduate, and I stand next to someone who has a degree in maths, I’m aware that I won’t necessarily be the most valued scholar there. However, I can stand there and know what my degree may lack in employability or money, I can make up for in drive and determination, something which I believe is lacking in the STEM field.

As a journalism graduate, I can write stories that expose corrupt politicians, an art graduate can create an exhibition that is so unique and groundbreaking that it defines a generation, and an English graduate could write a novel that becomes an instant classic.

How to romanticise your uni life Newcastle University Debating Society wins their first competition in over a decade

philosophical themes alongside theories of time.

After our most difficult and thought provoking debate, the Chief Adjudicator alleviated the debaters' suspense by announcing that “ the winner is… Newcastle A!”

The room erupted with both teams being overjoyed as NUDS had won its first debate tournament in over a decade. Celebrations were memorably wholesome as we were all extremely proud of ourselves and concluded with well-earned sleep.

NUDS had also scored high individual speaker scores (Rebecca- 4th, Sadif- 10th, Emy- 11th, Safia- 12th).

The momentum carried forward the next week in York Internal.

We had teams breaking into both the Novice and Open Finals, which is another phenomenal achievement for our society . Notably, our judges panelled the Novice finals and chaired the Open Final.

With plenty of training,debates,and socials planned ahead, NUDS is excited to have a competitive and exciting year going

forward. We plan on competing in many more tournaments and making 2025/25 our most successful academic year in the debating circuit- you’ll be seeing a lot more from us! We are always welcoming new members, so if you would like to get involved with NUDS, check us out @newcastledebating on Instagram yo stay updated!

Campus Comment 5

A ranking of the Newcastle University buildings

Freddy Albertelli

Want to know which university buildings to avoid?

Today I present to you a 'The Courier' exclusive article. Without further ado, here is a ranking of the buildings at Newcastle University.

“...it

might be a sensible idea to fill out an absence form for the day.”

Worst buildings on campus:

5. The Ridley Building 1

If you're timetabled for the 1st Ridley Building, it might be a sensible idea to fill out an absence form for the day.

4. The Ridley Building 2

All the university had to do was watch Batman and Robin, A Good Day to Die Hard, and Zoolander 2 to realise that the sequel is never as good as the first. Especially when the first is the Ridley Building 1. Good luck getting the funding for the Ridley Building 3.

3. The King George 6th Building

Wherever you enter in the King George 6th building, will be the furthest possible place from where you're meant to be. This is the King George 6th Building paradox.

2. The Barbara Strang Teaching Centre

The Barbara Strang Teaching Centre, formerly known as the Bedson Teaching Centre, is a building contained within the Bedson Building, which is not directly accessible through the Bedson building, and where the main entrance is blocked by scaffolding. This is the information you're presented with as an English student in freshers week. I still don't think anyone has found it yet.

Park View: worth it?

Cerys Millard

Which Newcastle Uni acommodation is the best?

With everyone now looking for next year's housing, it's time to reflect and decide what firstyear accommodation is actually worth it. From someone who has lived through the horror that is fresher flats.

Starting strong, it's my old home, Kensington/Park Terrace. Location couldn't be any better, whether you're an engineer, medic or artist, you could roll out of bed 5 minutes before the lecture and still be on time. The rooms are all a great size, a newly refurbished kitchen and en suite bathroom, you can't really ask for a lot more. Boasting the cheapest Circuit laundry in the city is another big bonus. The only downside would be the price, with rooms starting at a crazy £187.25 a week. Overall, I would give it a strong 8 out of 10, as the price is the only thing that lets it down.

Now onto a Portland Green, the only thing I heard as a fresher was that it was miles away, and no one's first choice; however, Portland has a lot to offer. Being in a village set up there is plenty of social opportunities, the flats all have their own dishwashers, and a Tesco Express right underneath, it has a lot going for it. The main downside to it is that it's a bit of a walk to campus,

Whoever wrote 'you can't deny our campus is just beautiful' on the university website was hoping that you'd never stumble past the Drummond Building. It looks like a multi-storey car park, It smells like a multi-storey car park, It might as well be a multi-storey car park. If you're on the fence about dropping out, the Drummond building will make doing so a little bit easier.

“It looks like a multi-storey car park, It smells like a multi-storey car park, It might as well be a multistorey car park”

Best on Campus:

5. The Philip Robinson library

The Philip Robinson is an impressive library which boasts its collection of millions of books. According to the website it contains over '0.8 million print books', which is in the millions… I suppose. Impressive nonetheless. For that reason its taken the 0.000005 millionth spot on my list, Congratulations.

4. The Armstrong Building

1. The Drummond Building but being in the heart of Ouseburn also brings its perks, with coffee shops and pizza places everywhere around you. The price is slightly steep, though at £185 a week, I would give Portland a strong 6.5 out of 10

For Wellington St Plaza, Verde and the View, I feel it's only right to group them all, with them all being such close neighbours. Placed right near the business school and St James Park, city centre living truly couldn't get any closer, with nights out being just around the corner. Due to so many students being close by, it's great for pres and is possibly one of the most social accommodations across the city. With a weekly price tag of around £170, it gets a tick on the location, price, and sociability. Scoring 9.5 out of 10 for me.

Last but not least, it's the big dog of the Newcastle accommodations, Park View. With a reputation for being the most social and 'the accom that everyone wants', Park View has a lot to live up to. Personally, I think the location could be better, unless you are a med student main campus is a bit of a walk, and the town is slightly out of the way, with the post-night-out walk of shame back across a cow field leading to some interesting situations. Its price tag of £187.25 a week is a massive con; Park View gets 5/10.

Honourable mentions go to our Budget options of Windsor Terrace and Marris House, with cosy flats and decent locations; their only downsides are their shared bathrooms and small room sizes. But overall, the clear winner is our trio of Wellington St Plaza, Verde and The View, with socials and location clearly being on top.

should be grateful).

3. The Student Union Building

You're stranded on a desert island and you can only take one item with you and it can't be a boat. The age old question. You may say maybe a tool of some sort, or a water bottle, or a picture of your loved ones. For me, it is a no brainer,

The Student Union Building. It's got a Wetherspoons, it's got a 24 hour study space, and it's got Kimchi Planet. It's probably quicker to name the things which the Student Union Building doesn't have. I don't know why no one else has ever thought to bring the Student Union Building.

2. The Henry Daysh Building

the lift though.

1. The Stephenson building

The Stephenson building, before its £110 million makeover completed in 2023, was not optimised for education, contained asbestos in the walls, and was generally outdated. Now it has two state of the art vending machines with a digital screen which allows you to vend multiple items in one purchase. £110 million well spent. Of course it has undergone a few other notable changes as well.

The oldest remaining building on the university campus. However, it's not the bad old, its the nice old, like Hampton Court Palace (but still slightly worse. It's made the fourth spot regardless, it

Have you ever wondered what it would be like at the top of Newcastle's 21st tallest building? I can only compare the experience of euphoria to the astronaut stepping out of the space station for the first time, or cracking the enigma code, or when the northern lights were visible in Newcastle on your phone after taking a photo and adjusting the exposure. The Henry Daysh building is worth a visit. It's not worth relying on

Trans Day of Remembrance

Lulu Ashoner

How can you support the trans and queer communities on campus?

On 20th November, trans and queer communities across the country and the world came together to mark Transgender Day of Remembrance (also called TDOR). It’s a way for our community to grieve, mourn, and pay tribute to the 281 trans and gender diverse people murdered between 1st October 2024 and 30th September 2025, as outlined in The Trans Murder Monitoring 2025 report. Although there has been a decrease in the number of trans people being murdered this year, from 350 last year, anti-trans violence and rhetoric continue to be rampant globally.

TDOR was organised by trans activist Gwendolyn Ann Smith in 1999 as a vigil to remember the life of Rita Hester, a trans woman who was murdered in 1998. Since the first vigil was held in San Francisco in 1999, vigils for TDOR have been held every year in cities across the world. It’s held at the end of Transgender Awareness Week, which runs between the 13th to 19th November every year, aiming to bring awareness to the systemic issues trans people face, celebrate trans lives, and bring the community together. Vigils and events are taking place in London, Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester and other cities across the country. Why is TDOR so important now? Following the 2025 For Women

Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers, which ruled the term ‘sex’ referred to a person’s ‘biological sex’ assigned at birth, trans rights in the UK have come under continued attack. Trans Actual’s October 2025 report into the impact that the Supreme Court ruling has had on gendered spaces found avoidance becoming a new part of some trans people’s routines to avoid being challenged for being in the ‘wrong’ space, and anxiety around what it means for the future of trans rights.

“...with the average waiting time for an initial appointment at a gender identity clinic being over 6 years."

This comes at a time when gender affirming care remains largely inaccessible for trans people in the UK, with the average waiting time for an initial appointment at a gender identity clinic being over 6 years. The structural and social barriers trans people are facing in the UK, along with the broader trend of trans rights being attacked globally, make trans week of Awareness and TDOR more important than ever. What can you do? For the dolls, trans and gender diverse people, there are multiple ways you can engage with trans awareness. Such as the student’s union offers a trans fund of £50 for any trans students who need funds towards buying gender-affirming clothes, makeup, and other items. Each year, Rainbow NCL hosts a clothes drive for trans and queer people in Newcastle to access gender-affirming clothes, items,

support, and community. On Friday, 21st November, Dinner for the Dolls was hosted at the Whitley Bay Local, where a free dinner was given to the dolls and provided a space for the community. Get involved with your trans community through Newcastle’s LGBTQIA+ Society and Trans Mutual Aid Newcastle.

For cis people and allies you can get involved in many ways. Firstly, checking up on your trans friends, co-workers, and family members Support trans people by donating to their fundraisers, offering support and sharing information about trans resources. Be active trans allies in calling out transphobia, supporting trans people instead of simply saying ‘Protect the Dolls’ and focus on uplifting trans voices and lived experiences.

Newcastle 2025 TDOR vigil was held on Thursday, 20th November at One Strawberry Lane in Newcastle. The atmopshere was very comforting and very community driven, acting as a reminder that there safe spaces in Newcastle for trans and gender queer individuals. It shined a great importance on remembering the individuals from the community that have been lost due hate crimes and discrimination, while also highlighting the courage of survivors. Reflective events like this, underpin the importance of understanding that systemic transphobia still causes many concerns for the trans community. To any fellow dolls and trans people reading this, know you are loved, authentic, and incredible.

How Much More?: Ariana Grande Grabbed by Fan at ‘Wicked’ Asia Premiere

understandably visibly shocked her.

Scarlet Davies - Opinion Sub-Editor

There are consequences to being 'popular'...

Acourt in Singapore has found Johnson Wen, 26, guilty and sentenced to nine days in prison for grabbing Singer and Hollywood star Ariana Grande at the Asia Premiere of Wicked. But this isn’t the only time Wen has disrupted celebrity privacy; he has previously posted videos of himself disrupting concerts of the likes of Katy Perry and The Weeknd, and has even invaded sports pitches. How long can behaviour like this last unpunished, and to what extent can parasocial behaviour be excused?

Many have accused Wen of “retraumatising” Grande after she has spoken out about experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder after her Manchester concert in 2017, where a bomb killed 22 and injured hundreds. Grande has had no small amount of hardships over the past few years, with a very publicly speculated divorce and experience with PTSD- and Wen’s act of jumping the barriers and charging at Grande, even going so far as to grab her shoulders and jumping up and down,

After co-star Cynthia Erivo pried him off, Grande was seen unsmiling and distant during the rest of the premierean event which should have been a celebration of her hard work on the sequel of a multi-million dollar movie. Thanks to people like Wen, celebrities are forced to constantly be on high alert whilst in the public eye; to what extent should we be allowing this to happen?

“...celebrities are forced to be constantly on high alert..."

Wen’s public invasion is far from the only example of parasocial invasion we’ve seen over the past few decades. Crazed fans have always existedjust look at Beatle Mania- but the introduction of social media and the internet has only encouraged celebrity stalkers and obsession over celebrities to occur. Nowadays, a quick look at a celebrity’s social media will show you an intimate look into their lives. Stories about the food they’ve just eaten, the restaurant they’ve just exited, posts about their trip to the Bahamas, even livestreams answering questions is considered completely normal for a celebrity to post online. It instantly connects the celebrity and their fans, to the point where you start to believe you might know them in real life- that

Studying Over Xmas break?

Aradhya Neogy Singh

'Tis the season for late-night study sessions...

Every year, as December rolls around, students get hit with the same dilemma: enjoy the holidays or spend them hunched over laptops, racing to meet January deadlines. Christmas is supposed to be a break; a pause, a reset, a chance to breathe after months of academic chaos. Instead, for many students, it becomes a second exam season wrapped in tinsel and mistletoe, especially with January exams looming right around the corner.

"Time

off

doesn't automatically equal free time.”

The argument for January deadlines usually goes like this: students have “more time” over the break, so it’s the perfect moment for assignments and revision. But that logic ignores a very real truth. Time off doesn’t automatically equal free time. For a lot of students, Christmas is the only period when they travel home, work part-time shifts, or reconnect with family they rarely see. Others finally get a chance to look after their mental and physical health, something that’s often pushed aside during the term.

they’re not that different to you after all. The issues start when people become so enraptured with a celebrity’s life that they begin to forget the difference between an online presence and real life; what we are allowed to see, and what is bordering on privacy invasion.  Celebrity singer Lily Allen endured a stalker for over seven years, only resulting in his arrest when he broke into her family home while her and her children were sleeping in 2015. When questioned, the police stated “he wanted to cut her with a knife”. In 2024, Harry Styles had a fan jailed when she sent the singer 8,000 cards in less than a month. Taylor Swift warranted a restraining order against her stalker in 2025 when he visited her house several times and claimed he shared a child with her. Stalkerish behaviour is normal for celebrities, and this even bleeds into less extreme parasocial behaviour: fans tweeting creep-shots of celebrities out with their significant others, or leaking unreleased music and promo. This normalisation of the lack of borders between media and reality, with agencies pushing celebrities to share every aspect about their lives for consumerist relatability, is now becoming more of an issue than ever. So is it time to do something about it? In 2012, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the media can publish articles and photographs about celebrities without their approval, providing they have balanced their

rights to freedom of expression with the individuals' privacy rights. Despite several celebrities suing tabloids for printing false stories- Cameron Diaz, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, and Britney Spears have all sued gossip magazines for printing lies about them- it doesn’t appear to have much of a negative effect. False stories, fuelled by social media, go unpunished; the media appears to value commercial appeal more than respecting privacy if it financially benefits them. Meanwhile, A-Listers have to live with false stories alongside the threat of fan invasion; is it surprising that so many celebrities go through countless therapy sessions or use addiction to cope with the neverending public eye?

“...being famous comes with a cost..."

With this in mind, should Wen have been sentenced to longer than just nine days in prison? Whilst his initial breakthrough might have been seen as innocent- a crazed fan trying to get near his idol- it is far from the first time he has caused a stir in the middle of public events. Aside from traumatising Grande and invading her space, this should be something that the law should be taking far more seriously. We’ve all heard the stories of people not being believed until the worst happens- and whilst celebrities aren’t always vocal about the

struggles of being in the spotlight, can we blame them? Celebrities get labelled ‘ungrateful’ and ‘unrealistic’ when they talk about the toll that being a public figure causes them; whilst being famous comes with a cost, should it take up every waking moment of a celebrity’s life? The first step towards progression is keeping ourselves accountable: the next time you see a blurry clip of a celebrity walking out of a bar with someone, or being followed by fans, think about the consequences of what you’re seeing. To us, it’s just a video of someone we vaguely know doing something scandalous. To them, it’s their life - a life we know nothing about. better to keep it

Expecting students to juggle essays, revision, and festive obligations creates a guilt cycle. Relax and you feel unproductive, study and you feel like you’re missing out. Neither option is healthy, and both undermine the purpose of a holiday break.

On the flip side, some argue that these deadlines give students breathing space during the term and let them pace their work. Fair enough. But if that flexibility quietly translates into “do it all in December,” that isn’t really flexibility at all. It’s procrastination disguised as planning.

“A true break should be exactly that: a break. Not a glorified study leave.”

The bigger issue is that universities often treat academic calendars like they exist in a vacuum, as if students don’t have personal lives, jobs, financial pressures, or emotional limits. A true break should be exactly that: a break. Not a glorified study leave. So, should students be expected to work over Christmas? No. Encouraged to plan ahead? Sure. But expecting meaningful academic work during a period traditionally meant for rest feels out of touch with the reality of student life.

Maybe it’s time universities rethink January deadlines entirely. Because the gift no student wants under the tree is another 3,000-word essay, or an exam timetable waiting on the other side of New Year’s.

Martha Nugent

Our writer discusses how Mamdani's win may be having greater global effects...

Aswing of socialism took over New York on November 4th as Zohran Mamdani secured his title as New York mayor, but could this switch hint not only at a more progressive America, but extend

Image: Source: Wikimedia Commons, Unknown author - verity, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?searc h=Ariana+Grande&title=Special%3ASe arch&ns0=1&ns6=1&ns12=1&ns14=1& ns100=1&ns106=1#/media/File:Ariana_ Grande_2025-11-23_040735.png

Will Mamdani’s win inspire UK politics?

Shifting across the Atlantic to the UK, progressive ideologies are spreading, with ‘Your Party’ leaders, Corbyn and Sultana, applauding Mamdani. They share similar interests in politics, with a focus on issues such as pro-Palestine action, economic justice, universal free childcare and freezing rents, claiming “Zohran's historic victory demonstrates that the old politics of the centre is bankrupt and a new socialist politics can take its place.” following this statement with “We will build that politics and that alternative here in Britain, too.”

“Perhaps this wildfire is leaning left, and its spread is being encouraged?"

seeing an increase in support for left parties, such as the Greens. The Greens achieved a total of 4 seats in the 2024 parliamentary election, having taken 2 of these seats from rural Tory strongholds and have since been elevating their members to an all-time high of 60,000. And sure, this is only a quarter of Reform membership numbers, but its increase clearly reflects the demands for a dominant and clear left alternative. Perhaps then this wildfire is leaning left, and its spread is being encouraged?

“the

Greens sudden popularity could be linked with Polanski's campaign"

Significantly, the Greens sudden popularity could be argued to be linked with Polanski's sweeping campaign, resulting in him gaining leadership of the party with a staggering 85% of the available vote. His recent online presence has been crucial in his success; his heightened popularity largely consists of young voters and those who now feel disconnected from Labour, as their stance on the political spectrum is slightly blurred, shifting from a clear line to a more confused zigzag. If Britain really is catching onto America's flame, Polanski seems to be the one holding the torchwhether a fire engine is needed or not.

Christmas in the Toon: Is Newcastle Xmas market too expensive?

Kanupriya Pathak

Have Xmas markets become a consumerist nightmare?

Bright lights spilling across Grey Street, festive music rising above the crowds, and the familiar December excitement that makes even the cold seem charming are all part of Newcastle's Christmas Market's return.

But in addition to the mulled wine and photo ops, there’s a question prevailing this year if the market is becoming too pricey. Although food has always been more expensive, the increase feels more noticeable this year. Mulled wine easily reaches £6–£7, hot chocolate is between £4 and £5.50, and a bratwurst can cost between £7 and Even basic treats like churros or crepes can cost between and £8, making a casual celebration outing into a small budgeting exercise.

drink feels more expensive than it used to for students juggling rent, utilities, and growing grocery bills. Winter accessories have emerged as an unexpected topic of conversation, as is food. Woollen caps are being sold by a number of vendors for £12 to £15, which many believe is not commensurate with the products' massproduced appearance or quality. Julia, a postgraduate student at Newcastle University, stated, "I picked up a basic white beanie and it was fifteen pounds." "It's cute, but it's not fifteen pounds cute at all." Scarves ranged from £15 to £20, and thick festive socks were seen costing between £8 and £12 per pair. Despite being an essential component of the market's atmosphere, rides have their own drawbacks.

“The prices seem excessive for what's available"

The majority of rides cost about £5, which is high enough to cause students to hesitate but not outrageous when compared to national prices. Daniel, an undergraduate student who went to the market on opening weekend, said, "If it was £3, I would jump on without thinking." "However, £5 forces you to consider whether it's worthwhile, which kind of kills the spontaneity." Newcastle

between £3 and £4, Leeds is generally slightly less expensive, particularly for accessories. Manchester, which is well-known for its expansive market, is much more costly, with food often costing £10 and caps frequently reaching £15–£18. York outperforms Newcastle in terms of charm and the experience of perusing genuinely handmade goods, even though its prices are comparable. Edinburgh, a popular weekend destination for students, is stunning but unquestionably the most costly, with rides costing between £6 and £9 and beanies reaching £20. Students feel the pinch because the value doesn't always match the cost, even though Newcastle isn't the most expensive Christmas market in the North. Although the market appears lovely, there isn't much variety, some of the stalls seem monotonous, and the prices seem excessive for what's available. In many respects, the market is now more about the experience than the actual purchases.

Nevertheless, Christmas in the Toon is magical in its own right. An otherwise chilly month is made cozier by the lights, ambiance, music and flame heaters. However, your proximity to your next student loan

Labour Party engulfed in controversy over Lammy justice reforms

Dylan Seymour - Deputy Editor

Super Lammy goes ballistic, Labour polls atrocious...

Justice is a word you'll hear rather often on the streets of Whitehall in 2025, whether from the mouths of Keffiyehemblazoned students and pensioners, or the police officers carting them away into custody for crime of holding a placard. Meters away in Parliament Square, there's a party stuck between the eroding rock of Keir Starmer and an Andy Burnham-shaped hard place, and somewhere in that middle ground sits Justice Secretary David Lammy.

“...Lammy is faced with the almost insurmountable task of clearing an 80,000-case-high pile of court backlog"

The MP for Tottenham, who also serves as Starmer's deputy, was caught up in a cabinet switcheroo as the UK's ruling party looked to freshen its failing façade. Now Secretary of State for Justice, Lammy is faced with the almost insurmountable task of clearing an 80,000-case-high pile of court backlog.

A more cynical writer than me might suggest that he stop presiding over the aforementioned crackdown on antigenocide protest, but the 53-year-old has had other ideas.

“...Labour plans to introduce judge-only hearings for cases likely to result in a sentence of three years or less"

Trial by jury sits on the

- murder among them- would still be heard by a jury of our peers.

Lammy's reforms have drawn fire from those on opposing benches.

Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage stated on Twitter that "this Labour government is crushing our freedom", while Liberal Democrat Ed Davey called on Prime Minister Starmer to reverse the plans of his Deputy.

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, meanwhile, brought Lammy's receipts to the Commons dispatch box. Jenrick, recently criticised for his comments on racial integration in Handsworth, raised that the Deputy PM had previously been outspoken in defending jury trials, questioning why the script had now been flipped. Unrest isn't exclusive to Labour's opponents, either...

“...Lammy's reforms have sparked chaos on the government's backbenches."

Clive Lewis, of Norwich South, made headlines last month as the first Labour MP to call for Keir Starmer's ousting. While none of his red-rosette colleagues have pipped their heads above the parapet to challenge the PM just yet, Lammy's reforms have sparked chaos on the government's backbenches.

Richard Burgon MP, suspended from Labour from July 2024 until February 2025 for voting to lift the two-child benefit cap, called trial by jury "fundamental to our justice system".

It seems like decades since a smiling convoy of Labour politicians headed into Number 10 for the first time since Brown's departure. It was Starmer's 1997, his 'Blair

“It's an investment in your adaptability, confidence and employability.”

Image: Source: Wikimedia Commons, Simon Dawson, https:// commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:David_Lammy_with_Keir_ Starmer.jpg

Puffins return to island for first time in over 25 years!

Laura Anderson

Puffins return to the Isle of Muck, sparking joy after decades of silent cliffs...

After an absence of more than 25 years, puffins have made their return to the Isle of Muck! Located off the coast of Antrim, the Isle of Muck has been the site of an ambitious seabird recovery project led by Ulster Wildlife. This year, a major milestone was reached with the return of some adorable auks – Atlantic puffins!

Ulster Wildlife is a charity that focuses on protecting and restoring nature. They took management of the small island’s seabird sanctuary 25 years ago, throughout which no puffins were recorded until last year when five puffins were spotted on the island. In spring 2025, camera traps confirmed the return of the birds when two adults were spotted coming and going from a nesting burrow – indicating that the pair were breeding!

"This

comeback is credited to Ulster Wildlife's seabird recovery project"

This comeback is credited to Ulster Wildlife’s seabird recovery project in which the charity focused on the removal of invasive brown rats. These rodents, which originated in Central Asia, predate on seabird eggs, chicks, and even the occasional adult. This poses a major risk for burrowing seabirds like the puffins.

The eradication began in 2017 and was coupled with winter grazing, where livestock continue to feed on pastures during the winter months. The grazing ensured that vegetation remained low and reduced cover for the rats, making them easier to spot.

"Signs of seabird recovery began to show early, with annual surveys recording a steady increase"

Signs of seabird recovery began to show early, with annual surveys recording a steady increase in multiple seabird species. This included eider ducks, guillemots, lesser black-backed gulls, and the red-listed herring gulls. However, the puffins were the real breakthrough. Nature Reserves Manager with Ulster Wildlife, Andy Crory, stated that: “For decades, there had been whispers

that puffins once bred on the Isle of Muck, a story that felt more like folklore than fact, […] that myth is becoming a reality.”

The return of these puffins to the Isle of Muck may seem small but its impact is huge; it shows that the seabird restoration can be done. With 18 of the 26 breeding seabird species in the UK facing the threat of extinction, the work done by Ulster Wildlife is more important than ever.

The rat eradication programme is ongoing, and Ulster Wildlife looks forward to hopefully seeing some pufflings – baby puffins – on the island in the following years, as well as the return of other lost species, such as the

A sleepy squirrel and a new beat for heart science

Dona Tharushi Siriwardana

Fauna Bio, a Californiabased biotech firm has developed a new drug for heart conditions, Faun1083, from the genetic material of hibernating mammals, or more specifically, the genes of a North American squirrel.

The American thirteen-lined ground squirrel is known, through decades of research, to be able to protect their organs, including their heart, from damage during hibernation. Within these long periods of low metabolism, they are able to avoid tissue damage and scarring – the same processes that lead up to heart failure. By studying their protective traits and mapping them onto human genetic data through an AI-driven platform, Fauna Bio was able to identify the pathways that might counteract human heart failure. They were able to do so due to their collaboration with Zoonomia Consortium and the analysis of data from the genes of over 240 mammalian species. This approach belongs to

an emerging field called comparative genomics where the evolutionary adaptations of other animals that naturally reverse or resist disease are evaluated and then translated into human therapies.

As CEO Dr Ashley Zehnder says, “Humans don't naturally cure themselves from diseases very often, but there are mammals around the world that regularly do… Why are we not taking advantage of the full spectrum of nature's experiments?”

The new drug is a small molecule drug that aims to treat heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The disease, which currently affects millions of people worldwide, has few effective treatments, with most only giving symptomatic relief.

Faun1083 has shown promising results in the preclinical trials with animal safety studies starting soon and plans for human trials next year. If successful, it could be a muchawaited relief for patients of HFpEF – a reminder that sometimes even the smallest of creatures can spark some of the biggest breakthroughs in medicine.

Image source: OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay

UK government publishes aims to reduce animal testing Indigenous voices at forefront of COP30 protests

The ethics of animal testing is one of the most debated topics in the scientific world today. The argument of whether it is just to use these methods to test drugs and products is one that is considered before every risk assessment for a trial or test. As per PETA’s (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) FAQ list, large corporations continue to test on animals as a form of legal protection. These companies often use the fact that the products have been tested (rather than the actual test results) to support the claim that they are conscionable.

When testing drugs and commercial products, there are two forms of testing they must undergo before entering a clinical trial involving humans, and before entering the shelves of your local shop. This applies whether this is makeup, soaps, drugs and more. There are two types of testing typically used: In Vitro testing involves experiments carried out outside of a living organism, such as in a test tube or petri dish. In Vivo tests involve a whole living organism such as an animal.

The government, as of November 11th, 2025, have made a press release, vowing to phase out animal tests in preference for alternative methods, with £75 million in funding to help carry this out.

“In this release, a greater reliance on AI is suggested as an alternative to living animals. ”

In the 2023 in the UK, according to the UK Government website, 2.68 million scientific procedures involving living animals were carried out, and the majority of these (60%) were in mice. Whilst this is a decrease from precious years, the government as of November 11th, 2025, have made a press release, vowing to phase out animal tests in preference for alternative methods, with £75

greater reliance on AI is suggested as an alternative to living animals. Using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has been popularised in recent years to replace live animal testing through their use of large amounts of information to predict

An developed deep mind predicts structure protein from just its amino acid sequence. From this, the designing and testing of drugs can become more efficient and is a suitable alternative to using living

This press release establishes the aims of ending the use of mice in the testing of botox strength by 2027 and to reduce pharmacokinetic studies, tracking how a drug moves through the body over time. The target for ending tests on dogs and non-human primates is by 2030. The response from organisations such as the RSPCA and other animal welfare scientists has been positive and we look forward to seeing these changes being put into place.

This year the UN Climate Change Conference took place in Belém, Brazil on the edge of the Amazon rainforest. According to the Coalition of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil, around 2,500 indigenous representatives were expected to attend the event, though only 360 indigenous Brazilians had been granted access to decision-making spaces and official negotiations. Despite the conference being held on Indigenous Peoples’ land, activists claim that their voices were not heard due to negotiations taking place primarily in English and exclusion in decision making. Indigenous people are disproportionately affected by climate change due to the fact that they inhabit ecologically sensitive areas and are vulnerable to climate change-induced displacement.

Conservationists also share concerns over the Brazilian government granting a state oil firm a license to conduct exploratory oil drilling near the Amazon, potentially harming its fragile ecosystem. The talks in Belém did not explicitly address moving away from fossil fuels and bridging the gap between countries' pledged emissions, and the levels needed to keep the atmosphere reaching dangerously high temperatures.

the streets to protest the lack of action taken against oil exploration, illegal mining and other activities that disturb the ecosystem surrounding their land. A key topic of contention has been the demarcation of Indigenous land, so that the rights of Indigenous Peoples’ are legally recognised, allowing them to challenge such enterprises that exploit their land. Declaratory ordinances have been announced for 10 new Indigenous lands in Brazil.

“A key topic of contention has been the demarcation of Indigenous land, so the rights of Indigenous Peoples' are legally recognised ”

The inclusion of thousands of indigenous voices at COP30 has been groundbreaking, yet the conference did not uphold initial promises to challenge issues that directly affect Indigenous communities in vulnerable areas. Final negotiations delivered a deal where $120 billion a year was pledged to vulnerable countries at risk of the harsh effects of climate change.

On November 11, Amazonian Indigenous land defenders took to

On Air, On Campus

"Rethinking all the stories we've absorbed" with 'girls on film'

Megan Grimston

- NSR Head of of Communications 'girls on film' talk about challenging the toxic masculinity that remains rampant in cinema

Amongst Newcastle Student Radio’s variety of specialist music programming, there is also a community of culture and talkshows. Branching out beyond the world of music, one of NSR’s most esteemed culture-based shows is ‘girls on film’. Talking about toxic masculinity every week, the show has constantly invited its to “rethink all the stories absorbed”, as co-host Emily, described. When I asked her about what inspired the creation of the show, she explained that “film and other media influenced our perceptions and understanding of people growing up”, recognising that it was time to challenge that.

“It’s interesting to see the small details about male

vulnerability and portrayals that we’ve missed” she discussed while reflecting on what the show has taught her so far. ‘girls on film’ is about to enter its second year of being on air, and as Emily went on to describe, “The biggest lesson has been about how to think more critically about film and gender.” Sometimes the show's premise can be uncomfortable, having to evaluate the ugliest depiction of toxic masculinity, however, the show still continues to stand out on air. When I asked Emily what she thinks makes the show stand out, she pinpointed “We make our criticisms fun, relevant, and unapologetically ours…”

“We make our criticisms fun, relevant, and unapologetically ours..."

Last year, the show's hosting pair received Newcastle Student Radio’s ‘Presenter(s) of The Year’ award, and almost 8 months on, Emily reflected on the dynamic of the pair. “I think that hosting has really helped us grow both personally and creatively…”. Tuning into the show, you’ll clearly hear “an atmosphere that cannot be replicated” between two friends that aren’t afraid to challenge each other, and continue to have fun: “We don’t just act as co-hosts who read notes to each other."

There are on air interactions between the two that nobody can hear, but continue to pursue the energy in the studio. After having such a successful first year, the show has colourful hopes for the year ahead. Emily summarised some of the duo's hopes: “I think one of the most important things is to continue having fun.” It’s clear that the dynamic duo of hosts is at the centre of the show's driving force; “Having a radio show with one of your best friends is one of the most enjoyable things at University…” Emily concluded.

“'girls on film' is the creation of the real world experiences of women..."

‘girls on film’ is the creation of the real world experiences of women, but the show has yet to let the unpleasant nature of its premise stop the co-hosts from freely dissecting the world of toxic masculinity. Beyond that, the show is the creation of the raw friendship between the hosts, developing both on and off the air.

NUTV in reflection: with Sophie McMillan

Megan Grimston - NSR Head of of Communications

Two years on from her time as Station manager, Sophie McMillan on all things NUTV.

Every year Newcastle University Television elects a new Station Manager, and with each new elect comes endless new ideas and inspiration. As we mark half way through the 25/26 year, it seems fitting to reflect on NUTV, and with that, sit down with one of the past Station Managers. It’s been two years since Sophie’s time as NUTV Station Manager came to an end, so when I asked her what she feels the experience taught her she had plenty to say. “You should try anything that’s tempting” Sophie opened with, acknowledging the idea that sometimes it’s easier said than done.

“You have no idea what tiny little choice could sway your life for the better..."

However, “You have no idea what tiny little choice could sway your life for the better” was

her conclusion. She also explained that “any input is worth it…” with the experience to back it up, holding the position of Station Manager from 2021-2023. Even if the work you produce “‘looks bad’” or “only gets 1 viewer”, she said, “you still created something, and that is where the true fun is.” Beyond the lights, camera, and action, Sophie also reflected on the people that make up NUTV: “Your best friends could be waiting at a student media event.”

“Your best friends could be waiting at a student media event."

In front of the cameras, NUTV annually puts on the same pool of events, and to some this could become a repetitive problem; however when I asked Sophie about this her passion couldn’t have been clearer. She expressed “Part of the fun is that it’s a different process, and different people…”, she proudly reminisced on the beauty of having a wide range of presenters and crew. “Everyone sees things in their own unique way” she said, suggesting that although annual, the events never feel the same, giving the station its own unique charm.

Across those two years, Sophie saw and headed plenty of these productions, upon reflection choosing a favourite might be harder than putting them together. “Fight Nights

Semester One is coming to an end, marking the beginning of the holiday period. For those of you that are staying in Newcastle for the break, there is still opportunities for you to get involved with things until Semester Two.

Project Funding Available for brand new volunteering projects.

12 Days of Volunteering 1st-12th December

Campaign for Sustainable Action 9th-15th February

were my favourite by far…” Turning up completely on a whim, “It brings a lot of people together in a fast environment!” With the environment being so adrenaline driven, “Student Media has helped me feel so much more confident.”

Sophie explained that “I did a complete 180 from horrific stage fright to presenting awards in front of hundreds of people.”

“I did a complete 180 from horrific stage fright to presenting awards in front of hundreds of people."

Sophie concluded that “You’ll regret not contributing when the opportunity is gone, so go ahead!” NUTV has long been a place of community, creativity, and charisma; and the time Sophie spent with me reflecting on her role has made it clear that NUTV holds a special place in everyone that walks through its doors. Sophie's time in NUTV is only one staple of a lifetime of memories that exist in the tapes of film.

Theremaining space in the ‘On Campus’ column provides a chance for you to advertise your own events to the wider student population.

What can be advertised:

• One off events that are open to the entire student community.

• Concerts/performances/shows

• Fundraising events

• Guest lectures

What cannot be advertised:

• Taster events, (these should be advertised through Give it a Go)

• Club/Society Balls

• Externally organised events (e.g. Fight Night, Student Races)

Edited by: Charley Dobson

Pisces

Aquarius Aries Taurus

January 20th - February 18th

Aquarius, this year brings encouragement and creativity. Expect to be pushed to your limit. It’s going to be hard to get where you want to be but this year, you’ll prove you can handle it.

Gemini

Gemini, your voice is growing in confidence as we approach this new year. 2026 is your time to bring about some real change in your life with those amazing ideas. Network, communicate and keep building up strong bonds.

Pisces, this year you should aim to focus on consistency and selfawareness. Who you are in practise is not quite aligned with the image you have inside. Reflect on what you’ve brought into this past year and leave all that junk behind before 2026. Febuary 19th - March 20th

Aries, as we head into the new year, the stars align to centre purpose and leadership in your life. Challenge yourself to take on a new role for a cause that you’re passionate about. Why not try volunteering for an initiative near to your heart?

Taurus, this new year you’re growing in your sense of stability. Make it your mission to get everything under wraps this month- tie up all those loose ends: unfinished projects, forgotten self-help books and start fresh.

Cancer, expect a huge weight off your shoulders sometime soon. As we approach 2026, your emotional resilience is at a high as you come to terms with what it is that you want and what you’re finally ready to leave behind.

Libra, you'll enter 2026 with a lust to tackle unresolved tensions between the idealised you that exists in your mind and the you who well, actually exists. Quit prioritising others over yourself and don’t be too shy to take some responsibility for your path.

Scorpio, this new year will lead you towards breakthroughs and opportunities if you let yourself be guided. Don’t be so strict and regimental, try to relax and tackle things as they come- not when they're still just a hunch.

Leo, expect the new year to be a time of personal growth and healing. There might be breakthroughs in your career or personal identity, keep pushing through and you’ll see more clearly soon what it is that you’re working towards.

Virgo, 2026 will highlight meaningful relationships for you- you may be surprised to uncover what traits you appreciate in those close to you- but once you’ve figured it out, you'll be ready to prioritise building connections who compliment and (politely) challenge you.

Sagittarius, it’s your year to lock in. The most basic resolution of the bunch. January will bring a hefty sense of optimism and focus- use it while you’ve got it!

Capricorn, some good news as we work towards the new year- you're well on track to achieving your personal milestones. Keep going with hard work as you have been and see how far you've come by mid-year.

Happy holidays from Lifestyle

Erin Neal & Izzy Whitley - Lifestyle Sub-Editors

HFeel the Festivities: Newcastle NE1's Christmas Markets

Jemima Ashton-Roberts

ello lovelies! It’s Izzy and Erin here, your lifestyle sub-editors. We wanted to give an enormous thank you to all who have written for us this first semester. As we near the halfway point of the year, we wanted to highlight a few things that have been close to our hearts this term. Supporting local small businesses, celebrating sustainable brands, and finding creative ways to enjoy life on and off campus. We would also like to encourage you all to pitch your own article ideas next year as these are the stories make our paper so personal and special.Our favourite part of Newcastle at Christmas time is attending winter balls (Izzy) and Tyneside Cinema's Christmas collection(Erin) Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season, we hope to see you next year for more lifestyle fun!

Savour the seasonal celebrations before first semester wraps up...

That time of year has come again when Newcastle is flourishing with festivities. The Fenwick’s Christmas windows are open, the Christmas lights are glistening across the city, and the Christmas Markets are up and running. Based across Grey Street, Grainger Street and Nelson Street, there is a lot on offer this year from great food and drinks to independent market stalls. Open from the 15th of November up until the 23rd of December and spanning across three streets, it is the perfect evening activity as uni life slows down.

“...it

is the perfect evening activity as

uni

life slows down.”

As per usual, the food at the markets is

impeccable and always encourages a big crowd. Grey Street has a variety of foods from pizza to crumble, along with Greek food, sausages and burgers, mac n' cheese and loaded fries at Hatch 76. Grainger Street has The Yolker (scotch eggs), Twisted Cheesecake on a Stick, authentic Spanish foods and the everfamous Yorkshire pudding wrap among a handful of sweet treat stalls.

“With an array of independent stalls these markets are the perfect place to purchase gifts...”

Prioritising a healthy

With an array of independent stalls, these markets are the perfect place to purchase gifts for your family, friends or pets. All three streets are bustling with stalls such as jewellery from Urban Silver Jewellery, Romanticise Jewellery and Sopharia Jewellery, the perfect gift for your mum, nan or friend. If you are looking to purchase something sweet, then you might find it at The Honey Store, Brownie Bar or Fudge

Packers.

Other stalls at the markets include Scented Melts, Pure Pet Food, Powder Butterfly (an independent artist who creates souvenirs and gifts based on British landmarks), Netoon Creative, Lucy Frances May Designs and Balefire (producing fermented hot sauces and vinegars). There are many, many more, and it is the perfect way to spend an evening or afternoon perusing all that the Newcastle Markets have to offer!

Along with the festive food, drink and gift stalls, there is also the Moosenwirt alpine bar located the heart of Grey Bringing the feeling of the Alps right to the city, it’s the perfect place to enjoy Christmas drinks in good company with live music accompanying you!

Staying behind this winter break? A Toon tmas for one

The wardrobe staples every man should own

Ella Hewitt

One writer discusses the clothing essentials every man should own...

Calling all men: we want you to dress better so take inspiration from our favourite fictional men and find your wardrobe staples!

As the colder months approach, you want to start looking for layers, so why not consider a long sleeve t-shirt. Take it from Seth Cohen - Adam Brody in The O.Cwho informally popularised it and bring back the 2000s. Not only can you wear them on their own when lounging or under a coat, but they also make a great base for layering a shirt on top of them.

your newly acquired long sleeve, why not try an old school band or music tee? This piece once again can be a solo statement for a more casual event or layered for when sat in your freezing lectures! Bonus points if it is a metal shirt like the honourable Jess Mariano (Gilmore Girls) who favourited a Metallica Tee.

“Ditch the skinny jeans you bought 3 years ago...”

When considering a particular shirt to put above

Now listen here! Ditch the skinny jeans you bought 3 years ago and employ your new best friend: a pair of baggy jeans. Having a pair of excellent quality vintage baggy jeans means always having a bottom half of your outfit secured, the more worn the better! However, if you are feeling a little more adventurous why not give some casual

trousers a go - as perfectly modelled by Ryan Gosling in The Notebook. These trousers can be paired with our recently discussed new band t-shirt for that effortless look.

For those Sundays when you are locking in at the Phillip Robinson and need a comfortable but stylish item of clothing, I would recommend joggers, more specifically ‘iets frans’ joggers from Urban Outfitters. Whilst these are an expensive staple - they are an incredible quality that will last you ages, and if bought in the right colour can go with everything! And, hey - would it be that awful to dress like Channing Tatum in She’s The Man?

“...the odd necklace and a couple of rings here and there can so quickly make yourself and your outfit a lot more put together ”

To conclude our discussion on what articles of clothing all men should own, I have one last request. It is simple but it is imperative you acknowledge it - jewellery! By having the odd necklace and a couple of rings here and there can so quickly make yourself and your outfit a lot more put together than you intended, which in some way aligns with the male agendaeffortless!

What to buy the most fashionable person you know this Christmas

Kate Sturrock

Newcastle has all the shops you'll need for the perfect fashionable gift on a budget...

We all have that one friend who’s the most stylish person you know. They're also notoriously hard to buy for. They’re always up to date with the latest trends and are always sporting pieces of clothing and makeup from cool, edgy brands that you’ve never heard of or wearing some cool coat or jacket that they just casually picked up at Tynemouth Market. As Christmas rolls around, you’ll feel the pressure to find them a present that’s just as cool as them, but with student finance not hitting till January, you might feel a bit stuck. No worries, this article compiles some of the most it-girl presents that won’t break the bank!

“Newcastle has plenty of vintage shops which can be the perfect place to find some unique standout pieces...”

Newcastle has plenty of vintage shops which can be the perfect place to find some unique standout pieces or just some basic wardrobe staples which can be the perfect gift for a fashionable friend. Whilst some of them can be expensive, The Basement at Old Eldon Square has £5 sale baskets which makes it the perfect place to find some vintage streetwear at such an affordable price (as long as you’re willing to dig around!) They have a

range of graphic tees, sweatshirts and vintage label jeans and, with a range of sizes available, there’s something for everyone.

“Flaura Rose is a female-ran small business that stocks the cutest accessories (my personal favourite are their earrings!)”

Friday Vintage Boutique (also located at Old Eldon Square) has some great affordable options too. They have collections of scarves (which can be the cutest hair accessory or a quirky belt) that cost no more than £7. They also have a beautiful earring collection that start from just £1.50, alongside other accessories such as scrunchies, leather belts and beautiful gemstone rings all at a super affordable price. They also have a collection of A4 posters, which range from Taylor Swift songs to cute slogans for just £10. These are a great gift to brighten up dull student accommodation walls to match their fashionable personality.   It is undeniable that crochet has been biggest fashion trends Hookd is a Heatonbased brand which makes handmade crochet gifts. With their mini crochet

cardholders from just £10 and their mini crochet purses at £35, these bags are the cutest gift that are so unique and won’t completely empty your wallet. You are also able to personalise your own, meaning you can make it into your friend’s favourite colours and create a bag that is just as fashionable as them. Hookd bags are stocked instore at indie shop Flaura Rose in Ouseburn. Flaura Rose is a female-ran small business that stocks the cutest accessories (my personal favourites are their earrings!). This is another great place to shop for super affordable fashionable gifts, alongside supporting a small business!

A

new weekly column has hit Fashion & Beauty!

-

We're introducing a new column, where writers can discuss the best outfits and trends they've seen on campus! Seen something stylish in your lectures recently? Have you got an outfit-crush on a Luther's regular? Write for our column to shout them out!

As winter is truly upon us and the festive season is approaching, fashion around campus is beginning to change. On the way out are the linen trousers and t-shirts, being rep laced by hat, scarves, gloves, or anything to try and keep remotely warm.

“We all know the feeling when you perfectly curate an outfit, only to ruin it with a big puffer jacket... ”

What I have noticed most of all these last few weeks on campus though is trench coats! We all know the feeling when you perfectly curate an outfit, only to ruin it with a big puffer jacket because of the Baltic temperatures outside. With a trench coat, it elevates the outfit and keeps you warm – who wants to have to sacrifice their fashionable outfit due to Trench coats are often associated with high price tags, but this definitely does not have to be the case! Primark sell an abundance of trench coats, and whilst they are cheaper, the quality is not always there. I would recommend high street shops like Stradivarius, H&M, or Pull Bear – they are affordable but excellently made. I bought a grey one from Stradivarius for only £35, and it keeps me warm when going between lectures and seminars and is a gorgeous accessory to any wintry

So… what fashion have you noticed around campus? Come to an SMA and write an instalment Campus Catwalk!

Relationships

Fairytale of New-Castle: the best festive spots

Niamh Lofthouse

Find out where to visit in Newcastle to get into the festive spirit...

Looking for fun ways to spend time with friends this season?

Look no further than this list of all the best spots in Newcastle to visit this Christmas!

The Newcastle Christmas Markets are a staple event of the winter season. Just past Grey’s monument, you’ll be transported into a world of Scandinavian wooden huts, housing all the winter essentials from festive feasts to unique gifts. I would recommend the irresistible treats from Brownie Bar, as well as sampling Newcastle’s famous Readhead’s Mac ’n’ Cheese. Whatever takes your fancy, the Christmas market is sure to delight, with this year bringing even more festive joy as Newcastle is hosting more stalls than ever before, stretching all the way to Nelson Street.

Another Newcastle staple is the Centre for Life ice skating rink, conveniently located just beyond the Central station. Situated outside the iconic Life Science Centre, the rink offers guaranteed chilly fun for all your friends. Additionally, there are a wide range of special skating sessions, from Wicked to K-pop to Lady Gaga. There truly is something for everyone!

Looking for a delicious pick-me-up after a cold

skating session? Look no further than the Lazy Bear Tipi offering festive tunes and even more festive cocktails. Next to the train station, you’ll find a delicious selection of warm drinks, with Viking-style décor, fairy lights and a cosy fire to warm up cold hands. The perfect place to catch up with friends over a flavoured hot chocolate, with my recommendation being the Biscoff hot chocolate.

This year, Aladdin is hitting the Theatre

Royal for a spectacular pantomime performance. Tickets start from only £14, offering a cheap and cheerful adventure through the fairytale classic. Be transported back into a land of childhood wonder with cheesy jokes and colourful costumes; expect wicked witches, dancing geese and of course the iconic Dame, in this must-see show of the season.

Returning for another year, The Made Up North market will be hosted at the Boiler Shop, Sunday the 7th of December. Featuring 65 Northern artists, makers, creative businesses and vendors, you can enjoy a vast display of local talent, perfect for finding handmade gifts. This is a great opportunity to support local businesses whilst also ticking off some much-needed Christmas shopping.

Image sources: chenspec (background), PublicDomainPictures (baubles), Cliparte_ com (tree), all

Old soul, new eyes: Newcastle through the years

Elin Auld - Relationships Sub-Editor

A love for Newcastle, passed down from mother to daughter...

Two years ago, at the age of eighteen, I came to Newcastle to start my university journey, the age at which my mum left Newcastle to start hers elsewhere. Though years have passed and times have changed, we have in common the love of a beautiful city full of life.

"Now I'm

I

Now living in Jesmond, I am a short walk from her old house near the Dene, which itself has changed, with modern extensions and a brand-new front new homeowners probable concern that I had mistaken Lindisfarne Road with Notting Hill, the two pictures convey different times altogether. The film photo is blurry and dull as opposed to the clear and saturated iPhone photo. Nevertheless, the jumper I wear is one of my mums from the eighties so maybe not so

It is a comfort to me knowing I am constantly

Politics of the profile: what your dating bio

If you’ve ever stared at your dating profile and wondered, “Do I look normal?”, you’re already knee-deep in politics. Not the politics we’re used to, but instead the politics of self-presentation, where every photo, prompt, and rogue emoji becomes a campaign strategy for winning the vote of a stranger’s thumb.

“It won’t decide the fate of the nation, but it will influence who shows up in your DMs...”

Let’s start with photos. Travel pic in front of a European landmark? You’re ‘cultured’, or at least you once bought a budget airline ticket at 3 a.m. Gym selfie? You’re projecting discipline, strength, and possibly that you live at the Percy Street Pure Gym. Group photos? You’re telling the world you do, in fact, have friends - though risking someone swiping right on your housemate instead of you. And of course, the classic pet photo: dogs say “I’m dependable,” cats say “I respect boundaries,” and reptiles say “I’m different.”

Then there’s the bio, the part of your profile that's rewritten fourty times until it sounds spontaneous. A witty one-liner? Bold move. You’re broadcasting charm while desperately hoping the joke lands. A list of hobbies? Clear and honest,

frequented by my mum. Everywhere new I visited came with a nostalgic tale from her childhood and I slowly built up a map of not only my experiences, but also hers.

"...wherever I end up, I know there is always a home for me in

Newcastle..."

Newcastle for me and her alike has introduced us to so many inspiring people. Friends we will carry with us for the rest of our lives, educators who have inspired us to pursue our passions, and a neverfailing community of people who stand up for what they believe in. Now in my final year at Newcastle University, I am looking towards the rest of my lifewhere I am going to live, find a job, settle down. I do not know where life will take me yet, but wherever I end up, I know there is always a home for me in Newcastle, as there has always been for her.

says about you

though you may accidentally make your life sound like a CV. And if you drop your political beliefs right in the first sentence, you’re not just sharing values, you’re basically moderating a debate stage before the first date. Or if you identify as more of a 'Hinge-r', prompts If you highlight

And if your profile is mysteriously empty, either you’re very At the end of the day, your dating profile is a weird little balancing act between who you are, who you want to be, and who you hope someone finds irresistible enough to message first. It won’t decide the fate of the nation, but it will influence who shows up in your DMs, so choose your campaign materials wisely.

The boyfriend question

Is being single ideal for women?

Chante Joseph’s recent Vogue article revealed some home truths about modern day relationship culture - is having a boyfriend embarrassing? It was a Thursday morning - I surreptitiously opened Tik Tok, ready to guiltily descend into the digital world. But from the first video, I was stopped in my tracks, thumb hovering tentatively above the screen. I was confronted with this blatant headline - ‘is having a boyfriend embarrassing now?’ As a 19 year old recently single woman, my interests were of course piqued.

I was directed to a Vogue article by Chante Joseph, where that same question was put forward again - I continued to devour every word on the page (well, screen, but trust me this article needs to be in print).

and the ‘spinster’ stereotype is one containing endless loneliness and despair. For example, when Helen Fielding’s 1996 novel Bridget Jones’s Diary turned into the hit 2001 movie starring Renee Zellweger, the ‘spinster’ was personified before our eyes - the scene where Bridget sings ‘All By Myself’ wearing Christmas pyjamas and downing vodka is one I will never forget. But, despite the fact we’re meant to pity Bridget, and dread to end up like her, the modern woman is one that is reclaiming this lifestyle as being desirable. Bridget is in her early thirties with her own flat in London, a job in publishing and a great group of friends -

“...the independent single woman is the new coveted lifestyle...” “...we have broken away somewhat from heteronormative

Joseph delves into the idea that women who have boyfriends are no longer considered ‘cool’ - in fact, she testifies that women whose ‘online identities [centre] around the lives of their partners’ can come across as being ‘culturally loserish’. And I couldn’t help but agree. To me, the women who I find ‘cool’ are those who have their own life, jobs, money, hobbies and interests. I thought of all of the women in popular culture who embody single life, and how instead of it being something that I fear, it’s something that I see as empowering.

For many years women have been conditioned to believe that being single and childless is the equivalent of having an unfulfilling life,

There has undoubtedly been a cultural shift in the way we perceive single women, and therefore also women in relationships. Having a boyfriend is no longer seen as having the chicest new accessory, solidifying a woman’s social status. Instead, the independent single woman is the new coveted lifestyle, showing how we have broken away somewhat from heteronormative

Rate the Date

Rate the Date

What attracted you to sign up for a blind date?   It’s an unusual thing to do and I figured I’d at least come out with a good story.

What was your first impression of your date?  She was very friendly and chatty.

What did you think of the location, was Turtle Bay a good date spot?   Turtle bay had very reasonably priced drinks and really good food (I had the vegetarian curry).

Did you have anything in common?   We both liked the Beatles.

Do you think you’ll see each other again?   I don't think so, but I had a good time and came out with a good story.

What attracted you to sign up for a blind date?   I wanted to meet new people.

What was your first impression of your date?  It was relaxed and he was interesting.

What did you think of the location, was Turtle Bay a good date spot?   Yes, I loved the food, but I wouldn’t recommend to picky eaters, had a good vibe but was a little bit loud.

Did you have anything in common?   We both liked Star Wars - but that is a very popular franchise.

Do you think you’ll see each other again?   No, they were nice, but we didn’t really click or have particular spark.

Your dilemma of the week

Charley Dobson

- Blind Date and Agony Aunt Coordinator

Dear Agony Aunt, I’m trying to relax over the holiday break- I want to make the most of this the time with my family away from campus, but I’m worried about leaving my studies behind for a bit. How can I keep up with my work and quiet the guilt about having some downtime? From A Reader.

Need your dilemma solved? Scan the QR code to send your worries away! Agony Aunt will help in the next issue...

Dear Reader, Navigating downtime can be a difficult feat for us students, it’s common to feel guilty about spending time away from our desks. That being said, as students, the holiday break is valuable time to catch up on the time spent away from friends and family during the first semester. Let’s think of a plan. It might vary between courses and exam periods but on average we can expect to have at least 3 weeks away from campus. Cross out the key dates right from your calendar. Don’t even think about your studies on Christmas Day for example- you'll enjoy the holiday much more without looming revision anxieties and when you to eventually return to focus you’ll feel refreshed and ready to get some serious concentration going. Do what you can in advance to quiet your academic anxieties; for some this may look like planning revision tasks for each day down to the hour, for others this might look like organising notes and computer folders, whatever is going to make

you feel most confident handling your workloaddo! Maybe discuss with your family members what you’re dealing with, explain that perhaps for an hour each evening you’ll need to be left alone to crack on with some work, equally as important, you could ask them for a helping hand once you’ve hit a wall with content to help pull you back into the sociable festive mood. You know yourself better than anyone else, it falls upon your shoulders to decide what you can and cannot handle and most importantly how much you should be attempting to take one. Being burnt out and sad is no way to spend your holidays- chip away at your projects day by day and reward yourself with your favourite winter drink or a night in with friends, who says you have to choose?

Newcastle Airport announces new routes for winter

Woods - News Sub-Editor

New possibilities to get away from the British winter...

Flights to Budapest, Brussels, Gdansk, and Malta are currently

of the destinations will run for a limited time only.

Flights to Budapest will run until April, while flights to Gdansk will run only during November and December, however they will return for the summer season.

“the growing demand for connectivity from the North-East to key European destinations.”

The introduction of these new destinations comes alongside the exciting announcement of a fifth new destination: flights to Wroclaw will

The five new destinations are all provided by Ryanair, who currently operate 17 flights to and from Newcastle over the winter months.

The Director for Aviation development at Newcastle International Airport, Leon McQuaid, described the new flights as “fantastic” and claimed that the addition of these new destinations “reflects the growing demand for even more connectivity from the North-East to key European destinations.”

How are the winter holidays celebrated around the world?

Paula Carrillo

Christmas season is nearly here, and cities are preparing themselves for the festive holiday season. But how does your location change your celebrations?

Different countries have different traditions and festivities that come with celebrating the holidays, but what unites us all is the excitement that grips us when we begin feeling like a little kid about to open the Christmas gifts.

In countries such as Spain and Italy, on New Year’s Eve, children leave something for Santa Claus and his reindeer to have. In most Spanish households, this is normally typical Christmas pastries and milk, while in Italy, this is a glass of wine and cake. Some other Spanish traditions include families playing the lottery, Christmas lights and markets, eating 12 grapes just before midnight, and, on the 6th of January, eating a roscon de reyes pastry.

In northern countries such as Sweden and Norway, lights and beautiful markets are also an essential part of Christmas, but there is so much more.

Similarly, Italy is also filled with lights and Christmas markets but have other unique traditions such as 'La Befana.' Legend states that she is an old woman riding a broom that got lost following The Three Wise Men, and now delivers presents to children on the night of the 5th of January.

Are festive events still worth the trip?

Becky Crowther

The brutally honest truth about Christmas markets...

The Christmas markets of today seem to be quite the contradiction, as these events epitomise tradition and holiday spirit, but does what’s being sold reflect the idea of Christmas?

One of my most favourite Christmas activities is going into the city to tour the Christmas lights. I just love that extra bit of glitter added to the city, and I think it brings a little bit of joy to almost everyone - I certainly felt it when I was approaching Northumberland Street and saw the extreme Christmas light effort.

“...I’m very well acquainted with expectation versus reality...”

Christmas markets are a slightly different matter. At first glance, they give a very festive feeling, but sometimes, I feel like Christmas markets don’t quite meet my expectations. As someone from York, a city known for its bustling Christmas markets, I’m very well acquainted with expectation versus reality, and sometimes it is a little disappointing.

In my mind, a Christmas market should look just like what is built in York and

and cafés selling hot drinks and mince pies, some jewellery stalls and gift stalls and then some form of entertainment. I went to Newcastle’s market yesterday, and it had all that, but because they’re Christmas markets, the prices are extortionate. It’s been taken advantage of by commercialism and has become more profit-oriented than festive, so, what’s on offer is virtually unreachable. Additionally, over the past few years, especially in York, what’s being sold isn’t really that 'christmassy.'

“...can

anything really be overhyped at Christmas?”

Christmas markets also tend to be so overhyped that too many people arrive at them. In York, you must swim through a sea of people just to see one stall. It’d take hours to see them all. The markets are still entertaining, and good to have a look around, so they deserve appraisal, but they are often overhyped. What certainly isn’t overhyped, however, is Newcastle’s Fenwick window. The Fenwick festive window has been a tradition since 1971 – that’s 54 years’ worth of Christmas traditionand this year is no exception! I went to see it with my family, as had been the plan since I decided to go to Newcastle University, and it was brilliant. I absolutely loved

Sweden marks the start of Christmas with a celebration called Santa Lucia on the 13th of December, where boys dress as “star boys” and girls dress in white, carrying candles and singing Christmas carols. At 3pm on Christmas Eve, families gather up to watch Donald Duck's Christmas, a Disney cartoon that has been a family tradition in Sweden for decades. In Norway, the main celebration takes place on the 24th of December, when families have dinner together and exchange gifts. Church bells at 5pm announce the beginning of this meal. A Norwegian tradition on this day is also hiding all the brooms in the house. It is believed that witches and evil spirits come out on Christmas Eve and take them!

These traditions only represent a small glimpse of how countries around the world celebrate the holidays, but there are so many more places to research that are filled with culture and celebrations. Each country's Christmas traditions are different and unique, but they all show the importance of spending time with your family, sharing food, opening presents, and having a good time.

Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park: is it worth the hype?

Every winter, London's Hyde Park turns into Winter Wonderland with thousands of sparkling lights, rides, ice skating, Christmas markets, and seasonal treats makes it feel like a festive paradise. It is London's one of the most popular holiday attractions. But with all the hype, is it actually worth visiting?

If you fancy a bit of adrenaline Winter Wonderland really isn't short on activities for all, like roller coasters, swing rides, or fairground attractions that promise a thrill. Santa's Grotto is a must for families, where one gets to meet the main man himself, and for those who love ice skating, the rink is there to skate across, soaking in all the magic of bright lights. If you're more into chilling and just enjoying the vibes, the Bavarian Village has seasonal food, mulled wine, and cute gift stalls.

back £10-£25. food and drinks can nearly cost £5-£10 each, and the day at Winter Wonderland can get pricey if you try to do everything.

If you just want to seize festive blues, take pictures of the lights, and walk through the markets, it's definitely worthwhile, you can do all that for free. But if you want to go on rides or catch a show, be prepared to spend a decent amount. Even then, most visitors say it's magical, with the decorations, and that warm holiday feel going on in the air.

3 top tips for visiting: Go during week days or maybe early afternoons to avoid big crowds. Also wear comfortable shoes, there's a lot of walking! Prioritise the wonders you want to see first in order to manage costs.

Now the reality check: entry to Winter Wonderland itself is free, which is great, but most of the fun stuff isn't. Ice skating sessions are around £14-£20 (including skates), while rides usually cost £5-£10, and Santa's Grotto or shows can set you

Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park is indeed a festive treat Londoners and visitors alike look out for. Yes, it can be on the pricey side if you want the full experience, but the magic, lights, and holiday cheer make it a memory worth having at least once.

What's acceptable to put in a Yorkshire pudding?

Grace Dawson

Experiment with your roast dinner leftovers and try something new...

With the recent rise of the Yorkshire pudding wrap, the Yorkshire pudding has undergone a dramatic transformation from a traditional, humble part of your Sunday roast to a social media sensation. However, how much more can the Yorkshire pudding evolve? At the end of the day, it’s just a pancake… and there is a potential niche in the market for a sweet twist on the British classic.

The Yorkshire pudding is a staple on many British dinner tables, commonly found alongside a Sunday roast, Christmas dinner, or the occasional casserole dish. Traditionally made in a baking tin before being cut up into squares for serving alongside your roast dinner, the Yorkshire pudding was believed to have been originally served as a starter with gravy. Nowadays, the Yorkshire pudding is perhaps best known for

being accompanied by a form of meat, vegetables, potatoes, and lots of gravy.

"...the Yorkshire pudding’s simplistic recipe of flour, milk and eggs could allow it to undergo a serious transformation."

However, with the rise of viral food trends on social media, there is the possibility that the Yorkshire pudding’s simplistic recipe of flour, milk and eggs could allow it to undergo a serious transformation.

Acknowledging that some people may be a little protective over their Yorkshire puddings and their respective pairings, I am aware that this proposal may cause slight controversy (pineapple on pizza round two) but trust me, at the end of the day a Yorkshire pudding is just a pancake.

Made from the same ingredients (flour, eggs and milk), the Yorkshire pudding and the pancake share more similarities than one might consider and it’s true that we don’t bat an eyelid when

From mince

pie to

making the most indulgent, sweet, chocolatefilled pancakes. As well as this, we know that sweet pairings with Yorkshire puddings isn’t an entirely new concept with it being common to pair them jam or custard for dessert.

Arguably you could say that the market is full of crepes, bubble waffles and Dutch pancakes alike, but I do think we could find some space for the niche that is Sweet Yorkshire Puddings! Think cinnamon or Biscoff flavoured puddings, an array of chocolate, caramel and fruit sauces and different toppings ranging from crushed biscuit to marshmallows, all served with ice cream or whipped cream (just like you would with a pancake). Doesn’t that sound delicious?!

So, as much as I love my Sunday roast, I am more than willing to get experimental with the leftovers and would be thrilled if the next TikTok video or Instagram post I stumble upon is introducing this

Bitesized: Milk

Sasha Cowie - Sport Sub-Editor

Over the last few weeks, I’ve noticed myself leaning more and more towards a particular thing in my fridge… milk. I wouldn’t say I’m drinking too much of it, and I’m definitely not getting through four pints a day, but somehow it’s disappearing a lot faster lately. There’s something about the simplicity of milk that feels grounding — especially now that the days are getting darker and colder.

It’s become my quiet little comfort. A glass of cold milk in the evening, a glass of milk with my Quick Milk straws— it just fits whatever mood I’m in. The milk I buy doesn’t just end up in a glass either; it finds its way into my cereal, my amazing buldak noodle recipe, or it's just gulped straight from the carton.

People sometimes laugh when I tell them. “Who just drinks milk?” they ask. Me — I do. Though, to be fair, so do all my housemates. It’s simple, delicious, and honestly, a bargain in this cost-of-living era. There’s always a carton in the fridge, usually half-empty because someone’s nicked some for their cereal. Still, I

Festive cheeses for your

flat Christmas dinner

in Newcastle

mint: the best seasonal hot chocolates

Find your new favourite festive hot chocolate to keep warm this winter...

Those winter months have arrived and I’m not sure about you, but I’ve been swapping my coffees out for hot chocolates. Whether you’re catching up with a friend or just need a little treat, the city has plenty of hot chocolates on offer. If you’re looking for your bog-standard hot choc or want something with a festive flare, this article will tell you the best places to go for your winter pick-me up. First off, is Knoops. A blessing to the city as these colder weeks set in and they have every kind of hot chocolate you could imagine. Varying from white to dark, hot to cold they even do hot chocolates with a Christmas twist. If you find yourself in Knoops in the next few weeks I would recommend trying their Christmas flavours. They have four types this year and they are: Festive Spice Chocolate, The Winter Works, Jens’ Chocolate Orange and The Candy Cane.

If you are ever near the Quayside, Proven Goods Co have combined two popular drinks, namely a chai latte and a hot chocolate. Their Chai Spiced

Hot Chocolate will put you in the festive spirit and it comes with the choice of white or milk chocolatewhat’s not to miss? Topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, a hot chocolate truly can’t get any more Christmassy!

"Topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, a hot chocolate truly can't get any more

Christmas shopping for others can get tiring and, it is always important to treat yourself! If you find yourself in Eldon Square shopping for others, or yourself, I recommend paying a visit to the Hotel Chocolat Café. Not only are their hot chocolates incredible, but their Christmas menu will also not let you down. Their Peppermint White and Mince Pie hot chocolates will certainly put you in the Christmas

Café Nero also do a magnificent Millionaire’s hot chocolate. Topped with chocolate whipped cream and salted caramel sauce it really is sensational. With a student discount, this drink is £4.25 which, in my opinion, is not too bad for a festive drink… Grab a friend and go and try these festive drinks in the run up to the Christmas

Logan Crowley Impress your flatmates with a range of cheeses that are guaranteed to hit the spot for everyone...

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a cheeseboard, but it can be difficult to find a gouda selection to put out on the table. Hopefully this list of festive cheeses can get you in the spirit and help you put together a spread that even Wallace and Gromit would admire.

First on the list has got to be a camembert. If you cut a grid into the top layer and pop some garlic and rosemary in, drizzle it with honey, and bake it in the oven, you’re left with this gooey pot of deliciousness that you can go crazy with. Choosing what to dip in your camembert is an adventure in itself. A personal favourite of mine is roast chicken and thyme sensations, but I also recommend garlic bread or even just a plain part baked baguette to let the flavours of the cheese speak for themselves.

Christmas time. The tartness of the cranberries works really well with the mild and creamy taste of the wensleydale which can be savoured when had on a cracker, but if you’re feeling daring you could try it with a sweet biscuit such as a ginger nut as the cheese in itself is already quite sweet.

" ...but it can be really nice if you can get past the mould."

" ...you’re left with this gooey pot of deliciousness that you can go crazy with."

Wensleydale and cranberry is another cheese that is immensely popular around

Blue cheese is usually pushed to the side of the cheeseboard and is more of a formality for most, but it can be really nice if you can get past the mould. Obviously, there’s stilton, but my blue cheese of choice would have to be Blacksticks Blue. This cheese is super creamy and is quite a mild introduction to blue cheeses whilst still having the signature ‘blue-cheeseness’ to it. Its perfect paired with a salt and pepper cracker where you can get the full flavour profile. This list could be endless as there are just so many good cheeses out there so go crazy with your put as much cheese there.

Once Upon a Tyne

Newcastle at Christmas The history of Fenwick

John James Fenwick - otherwise known as Mr. JJ Fenwick - was born in Richmond, North Yorkshire in 1846. In 1882, JJ Fenwick purchased 5 Northumberland Street and renovated it on £181 and 4 shillings. The store opened in the same year, on 23 March 1882, under JJ Fenwick, Mantle Maker and Furrier with a commitment towards luxury, high-quality products and passion.

JJ Fenwick worked alongside two assistants to sell a range of goods such as mantles, silk goods, dresses, fabric, and trimmings. The store quickly became very popular with the high-fashion women of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.

Following this, only two years since its opening in 1884, JJ Fenwick decided to expand his store by taking over the lease of 39 Northumberland Street, which was a former doctor's house. One year later, in 1885, the store expanded further by purchasing 37 Northumberland Street, too. It was not long before JJ Fenwick purchased 38 and 40 Northumberland Street, as well.

Almost a century after JJ Fenwick, Mantle Maker and Furrier opened, the iconic and beloved tradition of the Christmas Fenwick's window began. The very first one was in 1971 with a theme of Camberwick Green - a children's television show from the 1960s.

Since then, the Fenwick's Christmas window has cemented itself as a core element of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne's Christmas tradition. It attracts millions of visitors every year and has displayed a plethora of different themes, ranging from Winter Wonderland, Paddington Bear, and A Christmas Carol - which is also 2025's window theme!

Christmas light switch-on

The Christmas light switch-on is a public event that takes place in the city centre of Newcastle. The occassion marks the start of Christmas celebrations throughout the city. Typically, the even is hosted by local radio personalities and includes celebrities and entertainers as special guests. In the past, some of these guests have included Alan Shearer, Sir Bobby Robson, Ant and Dec, Denise Welch, and Joe McElderry.

The event anually draws large crowds of local residents, who gather with their families and friends in anticipation of the festive season in Newcastle.

The Christmas light switch-on takes place on Grey Street and has an audience that fills the streets all the way back to Grey's Monument.

This year, the event took place on Thursday, 6 November 2025 and was presented by Hits Radio 90's hosts, Steve Furnell and Karen Oxley. If you could not make it to the actual event, then do not fear, as these lights will be around for the entire festive period!

Texas sues Roblox over exploitaion concerns

Roblox, released in 2006, has been growing in popularity exponentially since it came out, with YouTubers growing a community on the platform and a whole variety of games being created. However not every experience is a safe one…

“According to the company, they have been removing games called "condos" for years...”

According to the company, they have been removing games called “condos” for years either manually or using an algorithm: condos in this case are sex games, where people can talk about sexual content and disregard any rules embedded into the platform. To talk on the platform, you need to be over the age of 13, and for anyone who has ever tried to talk in Roblox consistently they will know that the censoring is rampant. Literally any word has a high chance of being put into hashtags; but this is not the case for condo games.

Users brave enough to go looking for these games typically struggle, as while writing this article I could luckily not find any games mentioned by the BBC, Texas’s Attorney General Ken Paxton or even Roblox themselves. While this proves that Roblox are keeping an eye on the games put onto their systems, it clearly is not effective enough. Roblox have been slandered for their treatment of creators and users alike, with a concerning number of child predators using actively getting involved in events promoted by Roblox. A good example of this is when TheOfficialTeddy, a creator known for disguising sexual and abusive content as childfriendly videos and games, was encouraged by Roblox to take part in The Hatch. The Hatch was meant to include the most popular game makers in a server-wide event where players can unlock prizes. Various creators and players started a boycott and pulled out of the event saying that Roblox “dropped the ball” on this occasion. And after Roblox initially denied TheOfficalTeddy’s past bans and commitments and rescinded his invite, they later terminated his

account due to a “separate violation” and NOT the fact that several game makers felt unheard. This outrage from Roblox’s clear disregard for user safety, and then a further controversy with a “pedo-hunter” and sting operator user Schlep getting suddenly banned from the site on August 9th, prompted people to ask the same question. Does Roblox care? For Ken Paxton, the answer is obviously not. He posted a public comment and document stating he was suing Roblox for “putting pixel paedophiles and profits over the safety of Texas children.” While in his bio he claims to be an “America First Warrior,” in this instance he may be doing the right thing. Roblox told reporters that they were disappointed he was focusing on “misrepresentations” but honestly, after years of parents reporting, children entering sex rooms, and online sexual abuse victims coming to light, it does make a person wonder what sort of representation are they actually trying to create?

Roblox is already banned for these reasons in several countries, like Turkey and China, but will the US follow suit? Only time will tell...

Memory card: Animal Crossing: Lets Go to the City

From the Shampoodoodle to the Flea Market, this article takes us all the way back... to the city

Upon hearing the announcement that the 3.0 update was coming to Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch 2, it reminded me of my childhood with Animal Crossing: Let’s Go to the City.

Every single afternoon after getting home from school consisted of running up to my bedroom, switching on my Nintendo Wii and playing Animal Crossing: Let’s Go to the City. This was a time before terraforming, placing furniture outside, mayoral ordinances, Kappin’s island, and the Dream Suite.

My village, Celestia (inspired by Celestic Town in the Pokémon region of Sinnoh), often felt like my hometown more than where I actually lived. The level of creative freedom that Animal Crossing offered was the only thing that could satisfy my endless imagination in my childhood. For me, it is incomprehensible at times to think that my introduction to Rover on the bus was fifteen years ago, not yesterday.

say with certainty that if the feature of collecting villagers’ photo frames hadn’t been removed on the Wii instalment, I would have been able to collect them all. The residents of Celestia were as follows: Alfonso, Apollo, Camofrog, Chevre, Friga, Mallary, Mott, Tangy, Victoria, and Wolfgang. My biggest achievement in my life is that I can remember all 10 of my villagers.

“As someone who was a "bit different" ... growing up my villagers felt like some of my best friends.”

Without a doubt, my favourite villager was Friga. Anytime she would have had a request for a certain item, I would have made it my personal mission that day to get her it. Her villager house was ornately decorated with stained glass wallpaper and items of the regal furniture set, and I liked it so much I copied the exact layout of her house. One of my favourite features of the game was writing letters to my villagers and creating my own perception of all the villager dynamics, for example, fabricating neighbourhood drama.

“A vital part of my love ... was the Special NPC characters.”

Should videogames be on the curriculum?

Anna Lewis

For reasons that are too many to count, videogames are more often than not considered 'less than' by people who haven't had much experience of them, hence the most common response to the question of their potential usefulness to education generally being - 'of course not!' But videogames have a lot to offer, and are versatile in ways that most other media aren't, and that's why I absolutely think there's a case for adding them to the school curriculum.

For starters the mechanics of videogames actually allow for a lot of exploration and development of logic and mechanical skills. Sandbox games such as Terraria and Minecraft promote creative problem solving by allowing the player to build, explore and make decisions about what they should be doing next - whether it be finding sustainable food sources or defending their homestead. It may even help with knowledge of geology or zoology - though I didn't believe silverfish were real until I was fourteen because they were a mob in Minecraft, so it might be worth taking that with a pinch of salt.

As someone who was a “bit different” and did not have a lot of friends growing up, my villagers felt like some of my best friends. In the days when villagers had dynamic personalities, I was able to build connections with them. I can

A vital part of my love for the Animal Crossing franchise was the Special NPC characters. Except for Resetti! The first time he verbally berated me as a child for not saving my game was enough for me to be too scared to ever make the same mistake

again. To me, as a child, the closest I would ever get to a night out was sitting in the Roost café with a coffee, watching KK Slider perform. The museum is something in retrospect that I wished I had tried to complete, but all I could ever think about was selling everything I owned to Tom Nook for some bells.

Let’s Go to the City, as a game had some charming features that I wish were brought back to other games. The Sunday flea markets were such an underrated feature, as they gave the perfect opportunity for the player to purchase their villager’s furniture. Personally, I was on top of the world when I copped Mott’s spa bathtub. As the title alludes to, the city was the standout feature of this game. My idea of a nice day out consisted of watching Dr Shrunk at the marquee, receiving my fortune from Katrina, dying my hair blue at Shampoodle, avoiding a Crazy Redd artwork scam, and browsing in Gracie Grace.

Since the release of Animal Crossing: Let’s Go to the City, no game has ever evoked such a deep sense of nostalgia. Although New Leaf and New Horizons have added some incredible features to the franchise, there is a connection with this game that will never be replicated. If I had one wish, it would be to have access to my original lost game file.

Co-operative games also promote collaboration and the strengthening of social bonds when played with other people. Overcooked, Unravel 2 and the seemingly endless array of Lego games lay out puzzles and levels that you can only complete and progress through if you and your partner talk and coordinate how you're going to approach the situation you're faced with. If one of you fails, you both fail, and your teamwork the seemingly endless array of Lego games lay out puzzles and levels that you can only complete and progress through if you and your partner talk and coordinate how you're going to approach the situation you're faced with. If one of you fails, you both fail, and your teamwork will definitely have improved by the end of it. There's also something horrifically bonding about playing the It Takes Two section where you rip apart the stuffed elephant together. I still have nightmares. Finally, who could forget about the wealth of narratives, characters and stories that can be explored through playing videogames. The way arcs and themes are portrayed is seen as a completely legitimate study when it comes to books, why not with videogames too? Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, wherein the death of one of the two brothers you play as being felt physically though the half of the controller you used to move him becoming useless serves as a powerful and heart-breaking metaphor for grief, can only be experienced through this medium. And hundreds of titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 with its masterful storytelling, or Hollow Knight with its endless worldbuilding that you find in fragments during your exploration of Hallownest are just as beautiful, affecting and thoughtfully crafted as any novel.

There truly is no reason to keep pretending that videogames are any less rich or dense that any other form of media, not when there's so many amazing new ones releasing every year, and maybe that essential first step in the right direction

Two nights with Loyle Carner

Milly Thompson - Music Sub-Editor

And I'd do it all again...

Guitarist Raquel Martins absolutely shone, and I’ve since been encouraged to properly explore her solo work. ‘in my mind’ followed; it felt right that the first two songs were the pair that kickstarted the Hopefully! era.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am the biggest Loyle Carner fan. I’ve loved him since 2018 when I first heard his feature on Rejjie Snow’s ‘1992’. And then he called his second album Not Waving but Drowning after the Stevie Smith poem my dad and I used to read together most nights when I was younger. That album, and this artist, means more to me than anyone could ever imagine. This is why I spent not one but two nights under the glowing lights of Newcastle’s O2 City Hall, watching him perform.

One of the strangest full- circle moments was that the artist who introduced me to Loyle was the very artist supporting him on this tour- Rejjie Snow. And what a beautiful opening performance it was. Playing hits like ‘23’ and ‘Egyptian Luvr’, Rejjie took the crowd by surprise and warmed us up perfectly for what was to come. As I stood there in a crowd of mostly students wearing their fresh tour merch, I waited, almost nervously, for what I already knew would be one of the best nights of my life.

Opening with ‘all i need’ was the perfect choice. It united the room instantly, every person in that space connected by an artist who genuinely loves his craft.

“Every person in that space connected by an artist who genuinely loves his craft.”

Then came a jump back to debut album Yesterday’s Gone (2017), a classic moment that set the tone for the set’s journey through his discography: ‘Ain’t Nothing Changed’ reminded me, as it always does, how clearly you can trace Loyle’s evolution across each album. ‘Yesterday’ followed, his 2020 Madlib-produced single, which it stood out as one of the brightest moments night. ‘Damselfly’, featuring collaborator Tom Misch, early Loyle nostalgia that warm memory. ‘horcrux’

in love with me” screamed back from the audience.

‘Homerton’ followed, dedicated to the NHS on both nights, featuring Williams and Olivia a raw and emotional

from hugo that explores his relationship with his father and his son. ‘Nobody Knows (Ladas Road)’ took me straight back to one of my earliest experiences writing for The Courier, my first-year album review of hugo, a review that still means so much to me.The standout moment of both nights was ‘lyin’. Loyle removed his earpiece so he could hear the crowd properly, taking in every word as we sang it back. On the first night he told us he’d only experienced a reaction like that once before, and it genuinely felt like something rare. He mentioned that he sings the song to his children, which gave the moment a new kind of weight. As phone lights swayed across the venue, the entire room softened into complete stillness. 'purpose’, with Navy Blue, opened the door to my favourite run of the evening. ‘Still’ arrived quietly, a song close to Ben (Loyle Carner), and his mention of anxiety gave it an intimacy that settled over the room. ‘Loose Ends’ followed, Jorja Smith’s presence lingering even in her absence, before that gentle outro folded into ‘Ice Water’. I don’t think I’ll ever get over hearing those three in a row. When the crowd sang “Right now it’s better than it’s ever been”, it felt like the moment the entire night exhaled: a small, perfect expression of what love can be.

‘Speed of Plight’ pushed the energy back up before the main set briefly paused. Before performing ‘about time’, he spoke about time itself, how becoming a father reshaped his sense of presence and patience.. Read more on www. thecourieronline.co.uk

Mallet Space interview

Lucie Stringer

On the 7th of November, I had the privilege to interview the Glaswegian band Mallet Space, after they supported Newcastle University’s band Dish Texas at the Lubber Fiend.  Though Ruby (lead vocals) and Bethan (violin) were missing due to unforeseen circumstances Louis, Calum, Lottie, Ned, Ben and Jacob took the stage to give one of the best supports I have seen this year. Meeting them in the green room after I got to ask a few questions.

We first chatted on how the band are from and where they all met. They discussed that they all are from different parts of the country but met through attending Glasgow School of Art. Furthermore, through their love for music and performing they decided to set up a band.

We also discussed the bands musical inspirations and if there took any inspiration from artists from Newcastle. They commented that they were inspired by a variety of genres and musicians however some that stood out are the soundtrack of the film ‘The Point’, Abba and Newcastle’s Richard Dawson.

We went on to other gigs they have played in past. These included the ‘The Old Hairdresser’s’ in Glasgow. Plus, ‘Soup Kitchen’ in Manchester on the 26th June where they played alongside Dish Texas as well.

Read the rest at www.thecourieronline. co.uk/

Ticket tout takedown

The government tackle corrupt ticket resellers...

Finally, after years of frustration, the UK government has recognised one of the biggest issues permeating the live events sector: ticket touting. Ticket touting is when gig tickets are bought at face value, and then upscaled in cost to make a profit during resale. This often feeds fan frustration, and the unethical exploitation of creative work. On Wednesday 19th November though, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport released the outcome of their consultation on the resale of live events tickets, providing hope as they criminalize and strive to end industrial-scale ticket touting.

Perhaps you missed the date for when tickets went live; maybe you were unorganized and forgot; perhaps, you were actually incredibly prepared, went online 1 hour prior to tickets going live, and sat in a digital queue, behind thousands of others for half a day, just to be told the 2 meagre tickets you wanted were sold out.

Whatever the reason, it's common for fans to miss out on gig tickets. This frustration is then multiplied once fans find third-parties reselling the tickets at unjustifiable prices. What the ticket touts managed to grasp a ticket for £100, your now having to pay £500. This is not an

exaggeration: one of the most recent example being Oasis tickets. When the Mancunian rock stars announced their reunion tour last August, general admission, standing and seated were priced anywhere around £100 to £200 at face value. But resellers grasped onto the nostalgia and British pride the the public share with the brothers, setting prices over £6,000. Taylor Swift similarly sold her tickets around the same face value, and saw ticket touters upscale hers to over £3000. The increase is unjustifiable… yet incredibly common.

It's not just the fans who are affected

“...unethical economic issues with ticket touting that burdens the music and live events industries...”

however, there are also unethical economic issues with ticket touting that burdens the music and live events industries too. As MP's Justin Madders and Chris Bryant put in the ministerial foreword "Industrial scale touting [is] skewing the market, with none of their profits going back to the live events sector or the local economy", revealing how ticket touters takes away from the hard work artists and venues take to develop, manage and promote their gigs. They exploit the countless roles which contribute to the production of these shows, which usually struggle to make a profit anyway, particularly independent venues and newly-emerging artists. Touters create a profit, and benefit from the combined labour of artists, managers and promoters alike, on and off stage. This profit, if going anywhere, should really be

going towards them. Yet this corrupted ticket system adds no additional value to the creative industry.

Instead, money is streamlined into the pockets of touts, who sit behind a screen with their automated "bots". Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said this rips fans off, as the sophisticated technology can beat those infuriating online queues, and snatch up batches of tickets for coveted shows, only to be resold at sky-high prices.

“...shifted to completely banning reselling tickets at anything more than face value.”

Thus, the UK government released their legislation. The consultation period was established earlier in the year by the Culture Secretary, which had previously considered a 30% cap on upselling. However this has shifted to completely banning reselling tickets at anything more than face value. Any platform reselling tickets to UK fans will have to comply to the UK government's new legislation. This includes, secondary ticketing platforms and social media websites. The Competition and Markets Authority will regulate the new legislative boundaries, and if businesses break the latter, they risk facing financial penalties of anywhere up to 10% of global turnover.

for "engaging in illegal ticket resale tactics", upscaling the price of illegally purchased tickets. As a result, both platforms earned "hundreds of millions of dollars" from consumers, once again exposing the economic exploitation behind these touting schemes.

However third-party, seondary-ticketing sites, like Viagogo and it's US owner Stubhub, have concerns over fraud. A spokesperson for Viagogo reminded The Guardian that "Evidence shows price caps have repeatedly failed fansin countries like Ireland and Australia fraud rates are nearly four times higher than in the UK as price caps push consumers towards unregulated sites". The spokesperson for StubHub international also warn that planned price caps regulating the marketplace will move ticketing transaction to black markets. Under this consideration, the prices could potentially rise even more, and fans could be left in a worse position than before.

The legislation has come at a turbulent period, as artists like PJ Harvey, New Order, Dua Lipa and The Cure's Robert Smith have raised concerns over ticket touting. Over in the US as well, the United States Federal Trade Commission and seven states engaged in legal action against unethical ticket reselling. They sued Live Nation and Ticketmaster

However, it's likely these opposing concerns are rooted in business insecurity: Stubhub saw it's shares fall 14% on Monday after the plan was reported. "Secondary ticketing" sites benefit heavily from ticket-touts, by charging comission fees: and although the new legislation still allows them to charge these service fees, they will be capped to prevent inflammation. Furthermore, as ticket touts move away from these sites under the new legislation, and potentially to a new black market, it's certain these sites will attract less traffic and start to struggle financially. Their concerns for the public seem like an ingenuine narrative to cover their own vulnerability, as the government targets the corrupted system that uphold their sites.

Read more at www.thecourieronline.co.uk

Music That Defined 2025

Natalya Mathers

One of our writers looks at their top picks from 2025...

With the nuances of modern relationships, hook-up culture and online dating that often leaves us unconnected to one another, even in the most vulnerable states, music within 2025 has offered a sense of authenticity and sincere vulnerability.

A quick disclaimer: This year has offered so much for music, in terms of genre and sound. That of which I don’t have the liberty of going into finite detail with. And so, I hope you’ll consider these personal picks that I have chosen with a grain of salt, and perhaps be introduced to some new songs you may not have even heard of!

Chappell Roan ‘The Subway’

An ode to failed situationships, hard breakups or just that special friendship that was torn apart by fate, Chappell Roan’s ‘The Subway’ takes you on a journey of emotional vulnerability engulfed by chaos of the big city. Moving away from the highcamp of her country theatrics into something more open and sincere to the raw elements of life, Roan offers listeners that perfect track for your early morning, chilly Metro commutes.

PinkPantheress ‘Girl Like Me’  Crowned as the queen of sampling, PinkPantheress’ sound continues to reign supreme in 2025. Packed with layers of vibrance and careless abandonment that separates itself from the sombre melancholy of Roan’s ‘The

Subway,’ Pink champions a “let it all go” attitude (a lyric sampled from the song ‘Romeo’ by Basement Jaxx), providing a catchy and upbeat laissez-faire attitude to love and relationships in the modern age.

Olivia Dean ‘Nice To Each Other’

Similar to artists discussed, Olivia Dean has found her rise to stardom thanks to the sound-bite virality of social media platforms, aestheticising the sounds into 15 second clips of friendship, fun and fraternity. Love for Dean comes within her song ‘Nice To Each Other’ through the form of a push and pull attitude that flows throughout the layered classical pop, and overall warm instrumentals reminding listeners that in an age of fast paced dating and romantic attachments, being the song takes nothing but the love we share for one another.

Blood Orange ‘Vivid Light’

Gilmore Girls soundtrack officially released

Mia Wijayatilleke - Fashion & Beauty Subeditor

The la la las are finally ours to stream...

On 14th November, Warner Bros. released the official Gilmore Girls soundtrack, 25 years after the first show premiered. The album, performed and composed by Sam Phillips, consists of 18 tracks that take fans right back to Stars Hollow.

Known more exclusively as the record producer for artists such as Solange's “Losing You” and Sky Ferreira's “Everything Is Embarrassing,” Devonté Hynes is a master of emotion in sound. Much like Roan in her sombre and unfulfilling yearning for love, Hynes’ ‘Vivid Light,’ reflects upon this emotional vulnerability of love that comes behind looking at the screens of dating apps, travelling through fast paced movements between situationships and exes. Often hidden behind the upbeat funk of his other songs such as ‘You’re Never Good Enough’ (a song that I highly recommend also).

Sam Phillips has released nine albums between 1988 and 2019, but she is most known for being the voice behind the show’s iconic “la la la”s. Whilst songs from her album A Boot and a Shoe feature original songs used in Gilmore Girls, this is the first time that the official Gilmore Girls soundtrack has been available. With the show’s popularity resurfacing every autumn, the timing of this release both pleases life-long fans, and ensures that Stars Hollow’s charm will continue to be discovered.

The album as a whole is perfect for creating autumnal ambience. Its easy and warming melodies make a great soundtrack for studying, reading, or simply romanticising your life as Rory Gilmore would. There are five suites on the album, comprising shorter, self-contained scores, which naturally feel a little disjointed when listening to them as standalone songs. However, the album as a whole evokes the small-town whimsy that fans have been craving since the end of the show.

ba”s. ‘Reflecting Light’ demonstrates Phillips’ beautiful lyricism; her voice compliments her words perfectly. ‘If I Could Write’, my personal favourite, is a beautiful song worthy of a place on any cosy autumn or winter playlist. The songs blend well with the whole soundtrack (the chords in ‘If I Could Write’ are heard in ‘Luke’s Window’), creating a continuity across the album that ties Phillips’ own songwriting flair to the wider score. Some of the “la la la”s that stood out to me were ‘How Much Longer’ and ‘Watching’. These were particularly poignant tracks, heavy with the nostalgia that so many of us return to Gilmore Girls for. The softness yet sureness of Phillips’ voice with her guitar in these tracks capture everything I love about the show and this album.

Whilst I discovered Sam Phillips through Gilmore Girls, ‘If I Could Write’ became a favourite song of mine when I was fifteen, and converted me into a Phillips fan rather than just a Gilmore Girls fan. The release of this soundtrack will hopefully introduce others to her wider discography, as there are so many songs to explore and lose yourself in.

Live Review: The Last Dinner Party

Our

Last Thursday, Newcastle was the stage for one of the rising rock bands in the UK, The Last Dinner Party. Since their debut single, 'Nothing Matters', in 2023, the band has been growing their fan base worldwide. With their brand-new album, From The Pyre, they are touring various cities in the country and will later continue in Europe and the USA, finishing on July 26.

Before the band took the stage, local Imogen and the Knife warmed up the atmosphere with her songs. The singer was "overwhelmed with the support that the city has offered her and the band". As a local artist, it was great to see how many people from the audience were cheering while they were on stage, and it made the buildup for the main act even more special.

I couldn't help but admire the scenography for the tour. They are known for being incredible live performers, but the whole stage was a piece of art. From arches to bushes, it definitely added a special touch.

The lights went off, and before we could Lizzy Mayland, Emily Georgia Davis, Aurora Nishevci and Casper Miles, occasional drummer for the Brits, came on stage between cheerings from their fans. What really surprised me was their dresses, as they added to the baroquelike scenography.

'Agnus Dei' started to blast through the speakers of the venue, and Abigail Morris jumped on stage with her iconic charisma

that everyone recognises. At the end of the song, she greeted her fans and confessed between laughs, 'My tour manager told me not to trip, and I've already done it three times, so if you see me fall, I'm so sorry. ' This caused plenty of laughter between the members and the audience. You can see how strong the connection between them is.

After this moment, they performed 'Count the Ways' and 'The Feminine Urge', before a personal favourite, 'Caesar on a TV Screen'. After this song, the audience lit their phone torches for 'On Your Side', making another special moment in the show.

The one-hour mark hit in the O2, and the band performed 'Portrait of a Dead Girl', making this the official debut on the tour. The band loved the reaction of the crowd and performed this song with a smile on their faces, which I thought was a truly emotional moment.

The show was coming to an end, and after 'Nothing Matters', the crowd went wild whilst the English band was performing the last song of the evening, 'This Is the Killer Speaking.' Before leaving the stage, they thanked their fans and assured them that they would come back soon. This show is not only special for being the second time they play in this venue, but also for the audience. They played a really important role as they were singing along, dancing, and even crying to the was definitely one of the strongest fanbases I've ever seen.

Whilst the band continues their tour around the UK, we're still going to be remembering the show on Thursday, cause it was truly breathtaking.

Many of the tracks work as standalone songs, particularly the songs that feature on Phillip’s existing albums. It is these songs that have lyrics, rather than just the “la la la”s or “ba ba

25 years of Mama’s Gun: Erykah

Badu revisits her sophomore success

tapes and reflecting on the album’s creation, the Soulquarians era, and the moments that shaped her artistic journey. The event captured both the music and the memories, offering fans a rare glimpse into the world behind the record while honouring its lasting influence

When Mama’s Gun released on November 21st 2000, it arrived as a manifesto from the soul and a testament to the future. Revelling on the momentum of the seismic breakthrough of Baduizm, which firmly established her as a neosoul pioneer in the music industry, Erykah Badu further consolidated her exploration of vulnerability, emotional aperture, tuning her listeners into her interior frequencies.

The album debuted with her strongest first-week sales, moving north of 191,000 copies, and its lead single 'Bag Lady' became Badu’s first Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, earning two Grammy nominations at the 2001 ceremony; a year later, 'Didn’t Cha Know' secured its own nomination for Best R&B Song, helping cement the record’s critical stature and eventually earning it a place on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

As part of Spotify’s new series Spotify Anniversary, Badu celebrated the 25th anniversary of  Gun with a live show that combined performance and reflection. She performed renditions of 'Pentitentiary Philosophy', '…& On', 'Time’s A Wastin’, 'Green Eyes', and 'Didn’t Cha Know'. Between songs, she engaged in conversations with Thundercat and DJ Quik, who she spent much past time performing together, playing VHS

The title  Mama's Gun carries a deeply personal significance for Badu. She recalls her grandmother, whom she called Ganny, who kept a revolver in her nightstand: “Cause it was Mama's Gun / And I feel like Mamas Gun is untouchable.” For Badu, the metaphor extended beyond the physical gun; it embodied the creative power she wielded through her music. “Mamas Gun was the words and the messages that I had, that’s the power and the ammunition. Each song was a bullet.” Every track on the album became a vessel for her truth, a way to assert ownership over her voice and her story.

When asked what advice she would give to her younger self, Badu is refreshingly candid: “You can’t tell her anything, you can’t even try. She is like, 'good luck.' You think she is gonna listen to me? You know I’m not going to listen. I don’t listen.” She recognises the independence and resolve of her younger self and ultimately concludes, “I wouldn’t tell myself anything, I think I’m alright right there.” There’s a clear sense of respect for the path she took, and an acknowledgement that she is still the same girl singing melodies in the studio with her idols on that box

Let us rejoicify, Wicked: For Good is finally here!

The expectations for Wicked: For Good have never been higher than in this moment. The final note of Defying Gravity, triumphantly hit by Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba, brings the magical first instalment of the Wicked movies to an end and those in the audience of my double viewing await the beginning of the second half with an anticipation that is palpable.

To a large extent, Wicked: For Good does live up to the spectacle of the first part, packed full of stunning visuals, brilliant performances and emotional gut punches. As was the case with Wicked: Part One, it is evident this movie was a labour of love for everyone involved, both from those in front of the camera to the crew behind the scenes. The costumes and set pieces are once again flawless and there is no shortage of fun musical sequences or moving power ballads, with the gorgeous closing track, For Good, ensuring there were no dry eyes left in the house.

Once more, the stellar cast of characters are the heart of this movie, though their arcs are anything

you watch Elphaba on the run from the Wizard and the rest of the characters adjusting to life beyond their Shiz University days.

This means the coming of age themes in the first film about fitting in, popularity and falling in love are largely left behind, as the second delves into the burden of responsibility, the corruption of governing forces and what it really means to be 'wicked' or 'good'. The film deals with this shift into adulthood with a deft hand and, whilst the carefree spirit that is a significant part of the first film is missed, it is replaced with a maturity that only strengthens our attachment to these characters.

Where the imperfections begin to arise for me is in the film’s pacing and plotting, which at times feel haphazard unassured, particularly in the first the film. It lacks the consistency Wicked: Part One inspires continuous enjoyment, instead offering standout moments amongst a messier bigger picture.

Much of the first film’s appeal is in the electric

between Erivo and Grande, and because the two are rarely apart for the duration of the film, you almost take for granted just how much heavy lifting their relationship does in terms of investing the audience in the plot. But without quite so much of their shared screen time in the second part, it does feel like there is an element of that fundamental wonder missing.

Seeming to acknowledge this lack, the film does all it can to thrust our two leads back together but it does unfortunately come at the expense of some of the film’s side characters whose arcs could have perhaps used more delicate handling and attention.

However, no complaint can be found in Glinda and Elphaba’s scenes together, with

charming, particularly during his yearning-filled duet of As Long As You’re Mine, whilst Slater, specifically in March of the Witch Hunters, and Bode do well with what screen time they're given. By comparison, the lacking vocal power of Yeoh and Goldblum does feel distracting at times but, overall, it is an ensemble bursting with talent and an evident love for the source material which consistently shines through.

So - the question on everyone’s lips - is Wicked: For Good as wonderful (!) as Wicked: Part One? In my opinion, no, but then again, I don’t think it is trying to be. If the hearty applause delivered at the end of my double viewing was anything to go off, fans of the first film will undoubtedly be satisfied by this follow-up - it powerfully delivers on the emotional front and rounds off our main character’s arcs in both a satisfying and poignant

It may not be as rewatchable nor stand up as well on its own as Wicked: Part One does but when viewed as a second half as opposed to a sequel, it is hard to look at the completed narrative as anything but triumphant. I feel it would be a challenge for anyone to leave this screening not feeling like, in some way, they have been changed for good, both by this film and by this franchise as a whole. Four - a

Inside the Star and Shadow Cinema

Natalya Mathers

Founded all the way back in 2006, the Star and Shadow Cinema is a melting pot of North East creativity...

Ran by the community, for the community, this cultural hub of political action, artistry, queerness and open space is situated at the heart of Newcastle. Right outside the door of student accommodations such as Portland Green and Manor Bank, and a swift 15 minute walk from central campus, this venue is more than just your average cinema. Being both a student and public friendly venue, the Star and Shadow offers gig nights such as their monthly event Doxology that seeks to highlight grassroots musicians, often including bands from both Newcastle and Northumbria University, film screenings for affordable prices, exhibitions, workshops, and more.

“...both a student and public friendly venue...”

Starting up in the early 2000s with screenings and events at the Side Cinema, Waygood Gallery and Bookville from 2001 to 2005, what we now know as the Star and Shadow began as a meeting of likeminded people interested in creative, communal and queer spaces that are often not given in the North East. In 2006 they briefly redeveloped a building in the Ouseburn area, however after 10 years, when their landlord sold the building, they had to leave. Moving on to 2015, after receiving a loan from the City Council, they bought a former derelict furniture warehouse, which

we now know is on Warwick Street, and opened their doors officially in 2018 after three years of community led fundraising.

Offering a state of the art cinema room with an 80 person capacity and a 16mm and 35mm state of the art film projection that is both accessible and affordable, the Star and Shadow offers both students and the general public access to culture and art that is often placed at unaffordable prices within this day and age.

“...championing community over profit, the Star and Shadow offers a space for everyone, no matter who they are.”

The cinema itself presents frequent screenings of everything from independent short films that highlight often unseen art in the mainstream light, to reruns of both modern and classic films at a fairly cheap price that is paid on an optional and choice based price list. Inputting this ethos of equality and community, and what has been demonstrated as a ‘flat’ hierarchy business model,

Five years on: how COVID has reshaped

Anna Lewis

Like many collaborative activities during COVID-19, the cinema became a thing people used to do, rather than something they still can...

COVID-19, universally remembered for sweeping through the country in early 2020 and leaving its mark on every aspect of public life, had a notable, undesired and deeply damaging effect on the film industry as a whole.

Comscore reported that £322.9 million was generated in 2020, compared with £1.35bn in 2019, and that there had been a 76% Box Office loss during that first pandemic year. In terms of actually getting any films out, only 441 new titles were released in cinemas in 2020, compared to 938 in 2019. Suddenly, the humble movie theatre's role in our day to day lives had shrunk, fizzling out as it became somewhere almost entirely inaccessible

But what has that meant for the cinema industry in the last few years? For starters, streaming has soared to new heights, with even popular movies opting to be released on platforms rather than having showings on the big screen. Even those that do come out in cinemas often only have limited runs, before being shifted straight into a medium that will allow the rest of the world to watch it from the comfort

cinema

of their own home.

As a result, people still aren't going to the cinema enough, with Statista reporting that in 2023, movie theatres across the UK sold around 124 million tickets, more than the 117 million movie tickets a year prior, but still not up to pre-pandemic standards - over 176 million tickets in 2019. Ticket prices have increased and seem unlikely to go back down due both to rising cost of living and under attendance to local cinemas.

“...alienating people who used to enjoy a reasonably priced film on a weekend.”

The problem? This in turn puts more people off, stranding places like Vue and Cineworld in a constant cycle of upping prices to make enough money, and alienating people who used to enjoy a reasonably priced film on a weekend. Habits like disengaging with films and second screen watching have also developed as a result of decreased cinema viewing and the shift towards online watching. Movies are watched with less rigour when there isn't somebody telling you over the loudspeakers to 'switch off your phone and switch off from the outside world' and that more so than anything is proof that we have to ensure that cinema doesn't die out entirely.

“...COVID set a dangerous precedent of convenience over experience...”

COVID set a dangerous precedent of convenience over experience, because there was simply no experience to have, but that isn't true anymore. However, numbers are going up again, and we just need to get them to stay that way so we don't lose a staple of human life and community entirely.

The Courier's festive film favourites and traditions

Multiple Writers

As Christmas approaches, the team gets ready to watch their favourite films of the season...

Let's see how the magic of cinema defines the festive season for our editorial team…

As a Christmas film lover, there's more than film-based tradition in my family. However, my favourite will always be watching Nativity! on the last day of school term. When my sister and I were still at school, we would always celebrate the day we broke up for the holidays by watching Nativity! with the family, snug on the sofa with a hot chocolate. Since our mum is a primary school teacher, the end of school term is still an important calendar date for us, so our Nativity! tradition is alive and well. So many British teenagers yearn for that joy we felt during December in primary school, so I love how this film really captures that in the tiny details like the school hall assemblies or the classroom Christmas postbox. To make the tradition even better, Mum is kindly gifted all sorts of chocolate (and alcohol!) by the parents of her class at the end of term, which we all break into as soon as Martin Freeman hits the telly.

Mia Wijayatilleke - Fashion & Beauty SubEditor

My favourite Christmas film always has been, and always will be, Miracle on 34th Street, the 1994 version. Every year, for as long as I can remember, my family and I have watched it on Christmas Eve. By now we practically have every line memorised, and yes, there are a few slightly dull moments, but none of that matters. To me and my family, he is the true Santa Claus

My dad still wears an “I Believe” pin every Christmas (yes, that’s the most festive he gets), and it perfectly captures why the film means so much to us. Not only is it our most quoted Christmas film, it could also be one of our favourite films of all time.

I even briefly considered becoming a lawyer when I was younger purely because of it, although I now realise it’s probably the least accurate depiction of law imaginable. Still, there’s something about its magic that never quite wears off.

Milly Thompson - Music Sub-Editor

My traditional Christmas film (although admittedly not my favourite) is The Snowman. Every Christmas Eve myself and my family would go for a walk around my home village, of course stopping at the pub for a quick pint, before returning home to what my mum would call a “carpet buffet” (essentially just eating picky bits while we sat on the floor for some reason) and watching The Snowman. I would always dread watching The Snowman for some reason; I think I found the lack of dialogue boring or thought it was old fashioned or something. But my dad loved the film. So nowadays I’ve grown to love it too, I think mainly because it reminds me of when I was young (even though I still don’t really get the plot).

Katy Woods - News Sub-Editor

Since my parents came to England in 2004 and celebrated christmas “properly” for the first time they’ve had a tradition of watching Love Actually every Christmas Eve. As my sister and I got older we were allowed to stay up and watch (parts of it, Martin Freeman excluded) with them. However, New Years was more of a treat, watching my favourite christmas film The Holiday, tucked up on the sofa with

blankets, eating the 12 grapes at midnight and making wishes for the new year listening to Hans Zimmer’s music playing in the background. As we get older, it will always be one of my most cherished memories to sit as a family and watch our favourite film on New Years!

Aarya Shenoy - Sports Sub-Editor

My newfound Christmas tradition is watching the melancholic masterclass The Holdovers. Since the festive film was, rather strangely, released in January, it felt wrong to watch it at the time, so I eagerly waited. I didn’t get the chance to see it until winter rolled around again. I finally watched it on Christmas day 2024, and I instantly fell in love. I’ve now decided to devote a special 2-hour-13-minute window each year to this ritual. Transporting you straight back to 1970, the film hits the nostalgia nail on the head. There’s something so comforting about its raw, unfiltered depiction of the festive season. It's bittersweet portrayal of a non-conventional family feels refreshingly comforting, especially during a time of year when it's valued and cherished the most, as Angus Tully discovers his 'found family'.

Erin Neal - Lifestyle Sub-Editor

Last Christmas is the perfect Christmas movie for multiple reasons; 1) it shows a real non-snowy Christmas, 2) it is a surprisingly good political commentary on Brexit, 3) I have the same name as the main character and 4) it makes me cry every time. Despite this, my family aren’t fussed, but I have taken it upon myself to force them to watch it every Christmas Eve before we go to bed (because by then they don’t have the energy to deny me the movie). Kate has a good character arc, going from disinterested in her culture, manic and male-centred to embracing her family, bettering herself by making things right with her friends and helping out in her community. And the film only has George Michael songs so it’s inherently perfect.

Kate Kennedy - TV Sub-Editor

It’s not Christmas Eve in my house until we are all tucked up on the sofa with a hot chocolate watching The Polar Express. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but to me it’s the obvious choice. Set on Christmas Eve, it is the perfect balance between funny and heartwarming, just what you need for a moment of calm before the chaos of Christmas Day. The Polar Express has something for everyone, and I love it just as much now as I did as a child. Our cosy tradition is the one I look forward most throughout December and what I picture when I think of Christmas, I can’t imagine Christmas Eve without it!

Ruby Tinkler - Food & Drink Sub-Editor

Die My Love: a bad trip of a movie

Amine Yacoubi

Even though director Lynne Ramsey is not the most known name in the industry, Die My Love should bring together all movie enjoyers. It has a producing credit from none other than Martin Scorsese, the casting of Batman and Edward Cullen himself, Robert Pattinson, and the woman that has mastered every movie genre possible, Jennifer Lawrence. However, experience does not necessarily mean success, and the proof is this bad trip of a movie.

The story itself feels already pretty empty; a young couple filled with happiness leaves the big city to live in a country house, simultaneously welcoming a new member into their little family who the mother spends the best part of her day taking care of. She is alone in this house in the middle of nowhere, which begins to weigh heavily on her psychologically.

the middle or at the end of a massive, hard drug binge.

“...a constant sensual atmosphere with scenes of unnecessary and poorly placed nudity...”

The direction itself, contrary to the image of the film, is slightly out of the ordinary. There's a constant sensual atmosphere with scenes of unnecessary and poorly placed nudity, and abrupt and violent sounds, which appears out of nowhere to prevent the viewer from falling asleep.

On numerous occasions, the actors are the victim of overly sexualised scenes, Jennifer Lawrence especially. It's a major topic of the film: her sexual frustration toward her husband, who uses much of his screen time refusing his wife's advances, mainly because his mother is too present in their lives or for other cheap excuses. Furthermore, the performances of the cast are over-the-top to the extremes. To put it bluntly, it feels like every cast member is either in

Despite all this, if there is one quality to be found in the film and one name to remember, it is Seamus McGarvey, the cinematographer. The colours and the multiple wide shots of the countryside stand out as the most entertaining part of the movie.

At the end, the promise made on paper by the reputation of the people involved did not keep its word. A disappointment is the first word that will come to the head of several film lovers when the credits roll on Die My Love. Perhaps this is also the word that ran through the heads of the most talented artists of their generation, as this film taints their iconic filmography.

The timeless appeal of the British rom-com

The dry wit and deprecating humour. The brilliant albeit frazzled leading woman. The bumbling but charming love interest. The buzzing London backdrop.

Like many, I was raised on a steady diet of romcoms. The works of Richard Curtis were heavily rewatched in my house, with the love declarations of Hugh Grant and Colin Firth inflating my expectations about romance from a young age.

And whilst I will always have a soft spot for American rom-coms, the likes of When Harry Met Sally, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and 13 Going on 30, there is something about a British rom-com that simply cannot be beat.

A central appeal of any rom-com is the setting; from big bustling cities to picturesque small towns, you want a setting you can escape into, one which simmers with potential for fun escapades and falling in love. For so many British rom-coms - Notting Hill, Rye Lane, Love Actually and About Time, to name a few - the location of choice to best encapsulate this atmosphere is London.

England’s capital is to British rom-coms what New York is to American ones. Sun-dappled or snow-covered, London almost serves as its own character in so many of these films, from the colourful storefronts of Notting Hill cobbled streets of Soho. British rom-coms take a city often defined by its dreary weather and anti-social commuters and breath a new life into it, one full of romance and magic. Whilst it may at times be at odds with the lived experience of the city, escaping into the alternate reality it presents is undeniably appealing.

The charm and relatability effused by the main characters in British rom-coms also

amplifies this appeal. Whilst many leads in American rom-coms radiate class, confidence and effortless beauty, their British equivalents oftentimes feel a lot more down to earth and familiar. Take Bridget Jones as a key example - still beautiful and successful, but rounded out with an unfiltered realness that makes her character easy to resonate with.

On the flip side, you then have Colin Firth’s Mark Darcy. Not the stereotypical rom-com love interest by any means, but his quiet intelligence mixed with endearing awkwardness has made him an iconic character within the genre. His declaration of “I like you, very much. Just as you are” is swoon worthy for all of its simplicity and whilst Bridget and Mark’s relationship is often imperfect and not all that glamorous, its those imperfections that make it all the more compelling.

So, how do all these factors come together to highlight the appeal of the British romcom? Perhaps because their continuous popularity sheds light on what we want from relationships as viewers - not necessarily the flawless romance lead caricature but someone human. Someone to laugh with about the state of the world, who doesn’t take everything too seriously. Someone who brings joy and humour to the most mundane parts of life. Perhaps because, whilst the grand gestures are no less grand and the declarations are no less romantic, there is an added element of tongue-in-cheek comedy that brings the fantasy element of British rom-coms back down to earth. There is an acute awareness about the ridiculousness of chasing someone through an airport to kiss them before they board or interrupting a press conference to declare your love to a famous actress, but there is an exploration of its irresistibility too. And that’s where the real

A thrifty Christmas: budget friendly gift ideas

ingredients) and pen them down! Bundle them up with a ribbon or put them in a reusable box which you could also decorate.

DIY gifts remind us that thoughtfulness is a love language. They carry a kind of charm that store-bought items rarely have: the care, creativity, and small observations that go into tailoring something for a specific person. DIY gifts can really reflect consideration in the way you notice the little things about a person: their favourite colours, niche interests, inside jokes, and shared memories.

Here are a few of my favourite ideas, including some lesser-known ones for anyone wanting something a bit different: DIY framed comic strip of your favourite memory This can be as detailed or as simple as you would like! From a 3-panel comic strip to one that fills out a frame; sketch or paint a series of your favourite memory with the person you're giving this to. Whether it's a funny, emotional or heartwarming memory, it's sure to make a beautiful addition to their tabletop.Self-bundled recipe stack Self-bundled recipe stack

If you have made this person meals or baked goods you know they'd love, consider writing the recipe down on card paper and decorate them with illustrations. Alternatively, if you know this person loves cooking and baking but you don't have recipes in mind, look some interesting ones up online (perhaps ones from their favourite cuisine or incorporating some of their favourite

Zines from recycled newspapers/magazines

Zines are a wonderful way to encapsulate a person's interests! All you need is a scrapbook, glue, stickers and newspapers and/or magazines. Consider buying them used or second-hand from a charity shop, or have a look online as sometimes people give away free copies.

Tin craft and custom knick-knacks

For the trinket lover in your life, consider curating a mini tin of things they might like: DIY clay charms of their favourite food/character, sticker sheets, print out an edited picture of their favourite film or album or self-made badges! They can use this as decoration or take it around as a purse/bag-pal.

Upcycled fabric: wine/water bottle bags

Use recycled fabric, lining and thread to create a fun way to transport bottles! There are lots of templates and tutorials on how to sew a bottle bag online, and you could even embroider their name and/or initials to make it more personalised.

"DIY gifts are about attention, time and the feeling of being known."

At the end of the day, DIY gifts are about attention, time, and the feeling of being known. That’s the kind of gift people hold onto (literally, and in their hearts) forever!

Can modern art go too far?

Matilda Wright

One of our writers considers whether modern art is intellectual or pompous...

Modern art has long since been enraging people with its infuriating simplicity and sheer lack of skill.

While art is about creativity, freedom and deeper meanings, it could be argued that some modern artists take it to a whole new level. I’m sure we can all picture some of the questionable modern art found in galleries: the Red Square, the Black Square, and, of course, we can’t forget the White Square painted slightly off centre for ‘dramatic effect’.

within’ are more than welcome to continue staring at a blank canvas.

"...people arguing that there are 'hidden metaphors within' are more than welcome to continue staring at a blank canvas."

None of this art requires talent or skill, and the people arguing that there are ‘hidden metaphors

A more recent piece that had heads turning for all the wrong reasons was the infamous banana taped to a wall, an art piece that had to be replaced every few days, meaning the original wasn't even in existence anymore. It’s art like this that led to the saying, “I could have made that.” Modern art critics would then argue “but you didn’t”, although true, the reason being that I don’t have the audacity to believe that a creation so simple was worthy of being hung up on gallery walls.

"This is not to say that all modern art is pointless and dumb."

This is not to say that all modern art is pointless and dumb. Many worthy, talented artists are fighting to be seen during the domination of AI. Creatives like Banksy and Keith Haring are famed for their moving cultural and political pieces, and even Van Gogh is considered a modern artist. Today, capitalism has tainted creativity and left modern artists creating tasteless, tacky pieces in the hopes that some millionaire will buy it.

Little Women: a stellar NUTS interpretation of a theatre classic

- Campus Comment Sub-Editor

Little Women is a cornerstone primarily in English literature and film, being a story, many individuals have encountered before. However, the Newcastle University Theatre Society was able to exceptionally perform Louisa-May Alcott’s classic for a contemporary audience by capturing the emotional complexities of the novel in the acting of their characters. This coming-of-age story, adapted by Emma Reeves, ultimately directed by Tehya Sutton, saw the March sisters’ journey from girls to women portrayed beautifully. Taking place at the Tapyard in Byker, on both nights, the immersed audiences were transported back to the American Civil War. Before even taking their seats, the audience was met with table displays of photos and items from the March household, which instantly invited the audience to personally connect with the March sisters’ endearing familial dynamics.

"The production team ... were able to capture the warmth of the March household..."

The production team, under the leadership of Saoirse Murphy, with the set and costume design, were able to capture the warmth of the March household while highlighting the underlying context of the family's struggles with genteel poverty. The set was stripped back with minimal furnishings, which allowed the audience’s attention to focus on the raw emotion of the plot as it unfolded. Each character was costumed appropriately

for the period, their age and social class. Being a powerful motif throughout to signify changes in the characters’ demeanours, such as the sisters’ evolved maturity by the end of the American Civil War.

"The directing and acting allowed each of the March sisters' stories to develop individually..."

The directing and acting allowed each of the March sisters’ stories to develop individually in a way that allowed the audience to clearly understand the distinct outcomes for each sister.

The main protagonist, Jo, was played by Jayden Haims. She was able to encapsulate the charming wit and incandescent independence with her role as a nurturing sister and passionate writer who aims to challenge the dominant gender social narratives of the period. Her delivery of Jo’s

iconic rejection of Laurie’s proposal captured the character’s balance of consoling Laurie (played by Charles Page) while staying true to her love of her independence.

Meg was played by Grace Sutherland. She was able to embody the delicate temperament and maternal instincts of the oldest March sister. Moreover, she tremendously captured Meg’s internal conflict of desiring a wealthier life despite her family’s poverty. Her portrayal of her marriage with Brooke, played by Isaac Sands, made this a defining moment of the play. Both vividly communicated to the audience that she had accepted a happy, humble life over materialism.

Beth was played by Abigail Huxley-Binns. This actress displayed the kindness and empathetic nature of Beth, as the sister who tries to mediate conflict. In particular, she was able to invoke an emotionally commanding presence over the audio in her heart-wrenching display of Beth’s defeat to Scarlett's fever. Her death was a stark reminder of the harrowing conditions the Marche's lived in, but also underpinned the themes of resilience and familial love.

The youngest of the March sisters, Amy, was played by Bella Skelton. Bella personified the emotional maturity of Amy’s character from a self-centred and petulant girl into a distinguished, self-assured young woman. Personally, I felt she was able to present Amy’s tumultuous relationship with Jo brilliantly. Especially in how she callously and impulsively burned Jo’s manuscript.

Charles Page, who took on the role of Laurie was able to highlight the distinction between his character’s

platonic love and romantic endeavours. The wide-ranging emotions from his character’s distraught reaction over his rejected proposal to Jo and finding purpose through his loving marriage to Amy was communicated to the audience very clearly. Charlotte Hulme as Mrs March (‘Marmee’) captured the mother figure’s loving and gentle presence in the family. This was remarkably contrasted by Charlotte Kenyon as Aunt March and Emma Hotchkin as Aunt Carol. Who together were a regal yet judgmental duo who were able to cause friction between the sisters.

Freya Hume portrayed by Sallie and Charlotte Nicholson as Belle, also skilfully engineered an element of conflict in the play given how they socially alienated Meg. Finally, the male characters of Bhaer played by Claudio Cerne, Fred played by Nathan Guest, and Ned played by Charlie Crabtree – all added a comedic aspect to the classic, allowing the audience to escape from the somewhat bleak lives of the March sisters.

"Tehya Sutton truly created a new standard for university performances of theatre classics..."

Tehya Sutton truly created a new standard for university performances of theatre classics with her exquisite showcase of Little Women. This play was a perfect embodiment of the spirit of theatre. A play where the audience can sense that the director has brought fictional characters to life through genuine enthusiasm from the cast and crew. As someone who had never consumed any Little Women media before this, I can now confidently say it is one of my favourites.

The Booker Prize: why are female writers not getting the recognition they deserve?

When will the Booker Prize stop writing off women? The female dominant cultural shift in the literary landscape is long overdue. Literature refuses to silently stand still. Does the most prestigious literary award in the English-speaking world reflect this?

The Booker Prize is an annual literary prize awarded for a single work of English fiction published in the United Kingdom or in Ireland. Whether by accident or design, as one of the most profound and prestigious literary awards, shortlists for the prize make a statement. First awarded in 1969, the Booker Prize has historically written off female authors, with 36 men outnumbering the 19 female prize winners. This backwards statistic makes us wonder, should we instead call it, ‘The Male Longlist’?

Questioning the gendered divide in shortlists forces a choice between selecting the ‘best’ books regardless of gender, or prioritising gender parity. We should however provide awards to reflect the full breadth of the literary landscape, and by excluding the notion of gender we prohibit this. With no women featured in the 1991 shortlist, in a year when 60% of novelists were women, gender disparity favoured male authors. In response to the 1991 all-male shortlist, Kate Mosse established the Women’s Prize for Fiction to remove the gender disparity and celebrate female writing.

Reading Review

Recently, I’ve been exploring books that have been adapted for TV, and this month’s book is Lauren Weisberger’s The Devil Wears Prada.

I attempted this book when I was about fourteen, and I couldn’t really get through the first chapter, but a couple of weeks ago, I decided to give it a second go, and I’ve really enjoyed it the second time around.

In my opinion, it is a really well-written book, with very realistic dialogue between characters, and a great sense of what it is like to be part of a tense working environment. From the acknowledgements at the beginning of the book (yes, I read everything!), Weisberger mentions her former boss, I quote, ‘Easy to love him now that I no longer have to see him before nine a.m. each day.’ This suggests that the author is drawing from experience, which may be why the book is written so successfully anecdotally, and with such realism.

The main reason I have been working through film adapted books is so that I can see how linked, and true to the original story they are, and it is safe to say that the film adaption certainly takes a lot from the book, but there are some differences: As with many film adaptions from books, the books are generally a lot more detailed, particularly in terms of character detail, setting and plot. Films, to avoid them being too long, are generally more concise and simplified. An example of this in the book is the character detail of Miranda Priestly, the protagonist, Andy Sachs’, infamously hard-toplease boss. In the book, there is explanation to how Miranda’s career grew, and how she became so cold in personality, and where she began before she became a success; the film in this sense lacks this, which is why I love books: there’s just so much more depth.

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We are however looking towards a bright horizon. Recent trends suggest higher gender parity in the literary field. Hilary Mantel has famously won the award twice for  Wolf Hall  (2009) and  Up the Bodies (2012).

Margret Atwood (one of my personal favourites) has also won twice with a controversial slit victory in 2019 for  The Testaments, the sequel of the beloved Handmaid’s Tale. Bernardine Evaristo jointly won the 2019 prize for  Girl, Woman, Other, making her the first Black woman to win the award. More recently, last year’s shortlist had a record number of women with a ratio of 5:1, Samantha Harvey’s novel Orbital coming out on top.

split. Female voices of Susan Choi (Flashlight), Kiran Desai (The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny) and Katie Kitamura (Audition) were heard and represented. The five-person judging panel, chaired by Roddy Doyle, also includes three women: Ayọbámi

Adébáyọ, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kiley Reid. We have waited and fought for the representation, celebration and domination of our female voices on the literary stage. Is the stage finally ours to dominate?    Dawn is breaking in this new literary female era. We are bored of hearing repetitive male voices. And like Kate Mosse has highlighted and shown, if our voices are not celebrated through standard forms, we will create new ways to be heard.

"... David Szalay won the Booker Prize for his novel 'Flesh'," "Women are writing the future,"

Earlier this November David Szalay won the Booker Prize for his novel  Flesh, and although it is another man to add to the long list of male winners, the shortlist this year had an equal gender

Women are writing the future, and the Booker Prize needs to reflect this. Let’s see what the 2026 Booker prize has to offer.

Sunderland Glass Centre closure date confirmed

Ruby Tiplady - Head of Life & Style

What does the future hold for glassmakers in the North East...

The National Glass Centre in Sunderland will close its doors on the 31st of July 2026 after three years of dissent from various groups who want to save it.

"...repairs to the building required ... would cost between £14 and £45 million..."

being used to justify closing the centre instead of repairing the building. The centre attracts 200,000 visitors a year, with Wilson saying that the National Glass Centre closure “is about civic pride, is about Sunderland's cultural offer, the tourist economy”.

"Sunderland City Council have ordered a report to examine whether the centre could relocate or continue in another form." Image

Female artists that have been overlooked W

hen you picture an artist, names like Picasso and da Vinci most likely spring to mind, but what of Leyster and Morisot? Let’s takes a deep dive into the treasure trove of forgotten female artists.

For centuries, art has been dominated by men, with women instead being pushed into the domestic, private sphere of the home. During the Renaissance, when art and culture were being developed more than ever, still women were subjected to strict gender roles, and the few who escaped the norm were mostly the children of painters. Even as workshops were replaced by academies, women were denied entry, since the study of the human (male) body was essential, yet deemed too scandalous for female eyes. Despite the odds, many women persisted in their creative talents, from 16th century nuns to 20th century housewives.

"...[she] was posthumously diminished as merely 'the wife of Molaner'."

Judith Leyster was Dutch Golden Age painter who, at the time, was highly regarded for her rich, full-of-life paintings, but was posthumously diminished as merely ‘the wife of Molenaer’. For nearly 200 years, her artwork was falsely attributed to other Dutch male painters, including her husband, and this deceit may have even begun during her lifetime. She was rediscovered in 1893 when her signature was found hidden beneath another’s on a painting at the Louvre. Even after this discovery, she was again dismissed by art historians as an imitator of her male counterparts. Despite this, Leyster is slowly being viewed today as an incredible artist who is finally getting the recognition she deserves.

"Her style of painting, with its soft strokes, was often labelled as full of feminine charm..."

Sunderland City Council have ordered a report to examine whether the centre could relocate or continue in another form. It will be housed in a former Peter Smith warehouse and renamed Glassworks, with £5 million funding secured from the government, yet campaigners

Another lesser known artist is Berthe Morisot who, though a founder of the Impressionist group, has been long overshadowed by impressionist giants like Monet. Her style of painting, with its soft strokes, was often labelled as full of ‘feminine charm’ and disregarded as merely a woman’s pastime. Unlike Leyster, Morisot signed her paintings with her full maiden name, an example of her feminist flare. The patriarchy still left its mark though, as Morisot once wrote "I don't think there has ever been a man who treated a woman as an equal.”

Recently, she became one of the highest priced female artists when a painting of hers was sold for $10.9 million at auction.

"These women are just some of the many who have been discarded by history..."

These women are just some of the many who have been discarded by history and overshadowed by male artists, merely for having less opportunity. Today, many are working to dust off their masterpieces and place them firmly back in the spotlight.

Problematic TV characters everyone loves - but I don't

Anna Lewis

They're all over our screens... we can't escape them... Here's some of the characters one of our writers just can't stand...

With hundreds upon hundred of TV shows being released every year, each with their own cast of quirky and unique characters, there's bound to be some misses when it comes to making each member of the population of these fictional worlds likeable. These characters, however, are people that generally went over well with audiences, just not at all with me.

Gregory House - House MD

So I exaggerated a bit, I don't totally despise the eponymous hero of the 2000's medical drama, but his creed of universal misanthropy quickly wears thin as he behaves utterly abysmally whilst the story and characters within it completely justify it because he's a good doctor.

To add insult to injury, recurring cast member Eric Foreman is put down both in the show and on social media for being 'arrogant' and

'always wrong.'

At best this is an example of narrative bias

- House gets it wrong at least 3 times an episode as part of the show's formatand at worst blatant racism. While it isn't the character House's fault, it really doesn't help me look past his flaws to see his alleged 'heart of gold.'

Mona-Lisa Saperstein - Parks

Is hating a character that's intended to be annoying controversial?

Probably not, but the fact remains that the showrunners of and Rec clearly thought that Mona-Lisa's grating voice, selfish behaviour and juvenile motivations were adding to the sitcom's brilliant cast, if them featuring her more and more was anything to go by. From her manipulation of Tom and his business, to her loud begs for 'money please,' Mona-Lisa is completely insufferable.I haven't seen any hatred online for her, so either I need to look harder, or I need to get busy.

Friday Night Dinner

The insistence that Jim is a lonely and invasive but well-meaning soul is, to me,

Episodes like the one where he tricks the family into dog-sitting Wilson so he can go on a date are more than proof that he's well aware of what he's doing, and he never faces any kind of consequence for his consistent barrage on the family's time.

These things are perhaps excusable, if he wasn't also constantly touching Jackie inappropriately and forcing himself on her at every opportunity.

“...I'll

never forget someone unironically telling me they thought Jim was the best...”

I'm sure plenty of people have picked up on this, but I'll never forget someone unironically telling me they thought Jim was the best member of the series. If Jim Bell has no haters, I'm dead.

Image sources: Kristin Dos Santos, Wikimedia Commons (Hugh Laurie) | Mingle Media TV, Wikimedia Commons (Jenny Slate) | Both images under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Some images may have been altered | bulba1, Pixabay (Bauble)

Stranger Things season five: The Courier's predictions

Anna Lewis

Now that Stranger Things season five has began to air, it's time to see if our predictions were correct...

With only a fortnight left until ensemble sci-fi horror smash-hit Stranger Things (2016) graces our screens one last time and transports us back to Hawkins, Indiana, anticipation is on the rise and people are becoming fervent with their speculation, ideas and predictions for the show's long awaited swan song.

“...There are definite themes and patterns we can already see emerging...”

But while there certainly is a half-baked theory for every aspect of the show, there are also some definite themes and patterns we can already see emerging, that may give us some idea of what direction the beloved show will take its final journey in.

“...They may be the ones to watch again in terms of narrative pull.”

In the far more streamlined Stranger Things season 1, Mike Wheeler’s (Finn Wolfhard) journey to connect with Eleven (Milly Bobbly Brown) and find Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), alongside Joyce Byers' (Winona Ryder)

desperate search to find her missing child proved to be the central lynchpin of the plot. Now, despite significantly less focused seasons in between, the prominence of these characters in the early clips and trailers means that they may be the ones to watch again in terms of narrative pull.

“...Stranger Things [...] has had a desperate need to jettison a proprotion of its over-bloated cast of characters...”

Alongside this, Stranger Things seasons, has had a desperate need to jettison a proportion of its overbloated cast of characters, and I think this may finally be the one where they'll commit to it. The recurring theme behind the deaths: sacrifice. One of the best ways to keep deaths from feeling cheap is to have the dying character make a sacrifice to save another - think previous seasons’ Bob the Brain, Eddie Munson and even Billy Hargrove.

“...Characters who have already completed narrative arcs may be on the chopping block...”

narrative arcs may be on the chopping block for those who were still growing when we last saw them in Stranger Things season 4: Steve Harrington may take a bullet for Dustin Henderson, Joyce might sacrifice herself to save Will, Max to help Lucas, and Eleven may even die in order to save Mike. I'm not saying that these deaths necessarily would be satisfying or even good, but they seem to follow established Duffer Brother patterns from previous seasons.  In short, my main predication is that the world of Stranger Things will most likely end in utter carnage, with only a small band of our beloved crew managing to make it through and go out into the world to live ordinary lives.

I'll be there for you: growing up

watching Friends

Ella Saint - Fashion & Beauty Sub-Editor

One of our sub-editors reflects on the sitcom that shaped their teenage years...

Istarted watching Friends in Year 7. I can't say I've revisited it since finishing all 10 seasons. But somehow I always know it will be there for me, waiting to welcome me back.

Since Matthew Perry's passing in 2023, I've been hesitant to ever watch the show again. I know I wouldn't be able to laugh the same way at all his jokes the same way I did when I was 12. Despite not being my favourite character, Chandler and his sarcasm shaped my own sense of humor in a way. My loved ones all roll their eyes at my sarcastic comments in a similar way that Chandler's friends rolled theirs.

“...I watched Friends at a very pivotal point in my life...”

I watched Friends at a very pivotal point in my life so its no surprise it influenced much of who I am today.

Rachel validated my shopping addiction and convinced me a career in fashion wasn't as unattainable as I originally thought.

Monica and her neat freak tendencies made me feel seen. So what if a girl can't function normally unless every aspect of her life is written down and colour coded?

Joey and his undying loyalty to each of his friends reminded me that caring is cool. We're not here for a long time - tell people that you love them.

Phoebe made me learn that being yourself is the bravest thing you can - and ever will - do. She also taught me that being whimsical will always get you far in life. And Ross... well, he was just sort of there.

“...All the niche references and quotes are tucked away in the crevices of my brain...”

Like I said, I haven't properly sat down and watched the show in a long time. Occasionally, I will put it on as background noise when I'm cleaning my room and I'll somehow remember the plot of a random episode within the first few seconds. All the niche references and quotes are tucked away in the crevices of my brain which is probably just a sign of re-watching all the seasons far too many times. Maybe one day they will come in handy. For now, Friends will remain as the peak of nostalgia. Coming home from another wretched day at secondary school to watch six young adults live out their lives in new York was somehow exactly what I needed. However, I can guarantee that in the not so distant future, it will be exactly what I need.

“...Friends will remain as the peak of nostalgia...”

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: an impact on modern cheerleading

Kate Sturrock

They may be America’s Sweethearts, but the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have taken the world by storm.

From their iconic blue and white, star-spangled uniform to the bouncy blowouts and famed jump splits, the DCC are undeniable superstars.

The original DCC squad was formed in 1961 and featured teenagers from the local high school dancing in their school uniforms. Today, the team has thousands of applications every year from girls across the world who long to be thrust into a spiral of glitz and glam and don those famous cowboy boots.

But being a DCC isn’t without hardship. The America’s Sweethearts documentary released on Netflix last year highlighted some of the struggles the DCC face. The team are plagued

by extreme physical injuries (such as hip dysplasia and alongside having their and looks constantly scrutinised all whilst working in a

paid minimum wage too.

on one of the largest stages in America. It was also revealed in the documentary that the cheerleaders are expected to handwash their own uniforms and boots after every game, despite regularly working back-toback 12-hour shifts. Oh, and they only get

Up until this summer, the cheerleaders were only paid $15 an hour, meaning DCC have to work full time jobs to support themselves alongside their commitments to the Cowboys.

Despite the Cowboys organisation being worth $13 billion, the cheerleaders are paid like a “minimum wage Chick-Fil-A worker” and have a “full time commitment but part time pay” as described by ex DCC Kat Puryear.

"These girls demanded to

alongside the rest of the 24-25 DCC squad, for higher pay. Through monthslong severe negotiations with the Cowboys management and organised walkouts in protest, the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders

Imagesource:All-ProReels,WikimediaCommons,https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.Some imagesmighthavebeenaltered.

The comedy of a red card

From Beckham to Suarez, and Zidane to Lehmann, football has created numerous infamous red card showdowns.

With Ireland winning against Portugal during the recent run of World Cup qualifier games, ultimately leading them to secure their spot next summer, the Portuguese star player Cristiano Ronaldo’s sending off in the 59th minute gave yet again a standout moment from the match, and even better online discourse.

But this raises the question of why a red card is so entertaining as a neutral watcher. Is it the satisfaction of a player getting a taste of their own medicine? Or is it the enjoyment of watching how the wounded team will recover and reset with only 10 men on the pitch? Or is it just human nature to take pleasure in watching chaos unfold?

While it isn’t the essence of the immediate dismissal of a player that is originally comical, the commotion that follows highlights the irony of the physical red card. Whether it be an idiotic foul that could easily have been avoided, or a direct “Brexit-tackle” that intended to do some damage, the dramatics of those on

the pitch is what truly enhances the whole spectacle. Mouths are wide open, arms are flapping about, hands are pleading for a different outcome, opposing players are attempting to hide their smugness, and the manager is shaking his head knowing he will yet again be hounded by the press for another successive defeat.

The reactions, however, do not only appear on the pitch. They appear in the stands, with someone’s Dad, losing his voice and going red in the face, shouting some form of fruity language to the referee, even when he knows deep down that the player didn’t even touch the ball.

As the camera pans to the right, we catch sight of the opponents' ultras chanting their farewells to the carded player to the theme of “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye”. We see them on the bench, with players swearing under their breath, and assistant managers scrambling to figure out a new formation to somehow save their team. They emerge in the local pub, with someone sinking their drink and drowning their sorrows, and another checking his bet365 with pure misery.

They now surface online, with team update fan pages and football meme accounts racing to find the funniest and most appropriate out of context reactions to amplify the absurdity of the action. All of this happens in a matter of minutes following the original incident.

and their calls were finally heard. Their impact is unquestionable. They have made it easier for the future generations of cheerleaders to dance professional cheerleading and professional dance is not just a part time gig but an athlete’s job that deserve just as much credit as the football players that they cheer on. As Jada McLean put it, “We do a damn good job at being cheerleaders.” And they do. These girls can do it all and now they are finally getting the compensation that they deserve.

Is football losing its working class roots?

- NUTV Station Manager

Did you know that football players used to take the public bus to get to matches before kickoff? Imagine sitting on your local Stagecoach, turning around and seeing Jackie Milburn reading the paper!

Anecdotes like this are almost unfathomable nowadays. We’re a lot more used to players arriving via monstrous Rolls Royce vehicles or sleek little sports cars. For away days, they’re transported straight in and straight out of the grounds by luxurious coaches filled with the amenities that rival first-class on an aeroplane.

Is it a crime to have a bit more comfort and space than the public bus? Of course not. But, it’s one of the small details that show the total transformation of football in the last century from the working man’s game to the billion-pound machine that it is today. In their earliest days, most football established in predominantly working-class areas. Sunderland was formed by a schoolmaster in 1879, then Newcastle East End merged with Newcastle West End to form what we now know as Newcastle United in 1892.

Football became an method for young people to gain social mobility through a steady income. For older generations, it became something to enjoy after their gruelling working weeks, particularly for miners and shipyard workers. Sports like rugby had the Lawrences and the Jeremys, but football had Bobbys and Jackies.

"Rugby had the Lawrences and the Jeremys, but football had Bobbys and Jackies."

This cultural atmosphere lasted well into the 20th century, until commercialisation started to sink its teeth into its latest commodity. The

Staggeringly large transfer fees, eye-watering weekly wages, and advertisers decorating the grounds like they’re Times Square.

Having grown up in the Premier League era, this seems like the standard for many Millennial and Generation Z fans, but one has to wonder when is it too much? Here on Tyneside, Newcastle United became wrapped up in a media frenzy, as their star striker Alexander Isak forced a transfer move to Liverpool. The final fee was £125m, breaking the British transfer record.

The whole situation caused a great deal of anguish for Newcastle, especially for the fans who felt betrayed by such a beloved player. It opened up debates on club loyalty, players’ peak years and whether all that money was worth the bridges burnt to get it.

We live in a time where social media has brought everybody into each others’ pockets. We can follow our favourite footballers on Instagram and see what they get up to during their time off.

This unfiltered access creates the impression that we’re closer to these players than ever before. And yet, they will never sit next to us on the bus.

The rhythm of Festejo: What my cultural dance means to me

Estrella Olascuaga Viera

For many international students, keeping a connection to home can be challenging. For me, that connection comes through dance. After more than three years living in the United Kingdom, dancing has become a way to preserve the sense of belonging I felt growing up in Peru.

I am originally from Lima, the capital city of Peru. Lima is located on the Pacific coast and is known for its warm, cloudy and humid climate. It is the centre for various dance styles, particularly Peruvian folk dances like Marinera Morteña and Festejo. Traditional Peruvian dances embody our stories. They are living archives of history, resilience and joy. Whenever I hear its music, it makes me feel motivated to acknowledge these elements through dance.

One of the most well-known dance styles in Lima is Festejo. Festejo is

an artistic expression that honours Afro-Peruvian communities and their cultural legacy. It encompasses a happy, energetic and deeply percussive rhythm that is mainly done by the cajón peruano or peruvian box drums. Festejo creates a connection between the heart, body and history. Its songs tell stories of everyday life, celebrations, adventures, love and challenges. Dancing it today is a way of keeping the Afro-Peruvian culture alive.

“Dancing it today as a way of keeping the AfroPeruvian culture alive.”

The combination of creativity, agility and dynamism are what makes the Festejo’s choreography successful. Dancers move constantly, often on the tips of their feet, lightly jumping from place to place. It feels playful yet

powerful because it is full of motion, expression and improvisation.

“When dancing it, I am brought back to my

childhood.”

That freedom is what makes it one of my favourite dances. I learned it from my mother and at a local dance school, and it has always felt like a space where I can express myself without limits. When dancing it, I am brought back to my childhood. I remember high school performances, Sunday family barbecues and Independence celebrations. Even in parties with friends, there was always a part dedicated to Festejo. The shared joy of dancing Festejo is one of the most memorable things. Not everyone knows how to

dance it, but it can be taught easily, and teaching others becomes a significant part of the experience. Due to its happy rhythm, it welcomes interaction and connection while dancing. Here in the UK, dancing Festejo is a constant reminder of my roots, of where I grew up and where I am now. It instantly fills me with pride in my nationality and eases the nostalgia of being far from home. Every beat of the cajón, every jump, every step feels like I am back in Peru. Dancing lets me return to my home without actually travelling.

Newcastle Jiu-Jitsu Club win multiple titles at the BUCS Atemi National Championships

Sophie Psalia - Opinion Sub-Editor

Newcastle University's Ju-Jitsu Club win big, here's what happened.

Newcastle University’s JiuJitsu Club is celebrating yet another incredible victory after securing multiple titles at the BUCS Jiu Jitsu Atemi National Championships this November - most notably winning first place in the BUCS Women’s Tournament and third place in The Jiu-Jitsu Foundation overall title.

This achievement marks a significant milestone for the club, who have now placed first across all three major competition titles in the last three years - winning the BUCS Men’s Tournament in 2023 and The Jiu-Jitsu Foundation overall title in both 2023 and 2024, making them one of the strongest university Jiu-Jitsu clubs in the UK.

“...making

them one of the strongest university Ju-

Jitsu clubs in the UK.”

To find out more about the team’s success, I went along to their latest training session to talk with the members of the competition team and their Senseis, Brian Naisbitt and Adam Walton. What I found was a club whose achievements extend far beyond trophies and medals. The championship weekend was a success all round, with standout performances from medalists Hope Mawdsley, Lara Hall, Eliana Stern and Luke Rowbottom. Every competitor I spoke with talked about the tournament with genuine excitement - not just for the results, but for the experience itself.

Jitsu Atemi National Championships this November - most notably winning first place in the BUCS Women’s Tournament and third place in The JiuJitsu Foundation overall title.

“...committed and capable, but grounded in pure enjoyment for the sport.”

their latest training session to talk with the members of the competition team and their Senseis, Brian Naisbitt and Adam Walton. What I found was a club whose achievements extend far beyond trophies and medals.

Newcastle University’s Jiu-Jitsu Club is celebrating yet another incredible victory after securing multiple titles at the BUCS Jiu

This achievement marks a significant milestone for the club, who have now placed first across all three major competition titles in the last three years - winning the BUCS Men’s Tournament in 2023 and The Jiu-Jitsu Foundation overall title in both 2023 and 2024, making them one of the strongest university Jiu-Jitsu clubs in the UK. To find out more about the team’s success, I went along

The championship weekend was a success all round, with standout performances from medalists Hope Mawdsley, Lara Hall, Eliana Stern and Luke Rowbottom. Every competitor I spoke with talked about the tournament with genuine excitement - not just for the results, but for the experience itself.

Despite their achievements, all members of the club said that what they looked forward to most during the weekend was simply having fun. Their ability to compete to such a high level while maintaining this attitude is a real testament to the club - committed and capable, but grounded in pure enjoyment for the sport.

The national championships were undeniably a triumph for Newcastle Jiu-Jitsu

Grow a mo, save a bro: AU Clubs Movember wrap-up

James Morley

Movember is more than a moustache. It’s a time to think about men’s mental health.

With November drawing to a close, The Courier Online looks back on the creative, and at times quirky, fundraising and awareness initiatives that clubs and societies across campus have undertaken to further the cause of men’s physical and mental health awareness.Newcastle University.

Mechanical Engineering Football Club:

over 1,500 metres of elevation, before arriving at Bar Blanc at midday on the 23rd of November.

All together Mech-Eng have already raised more than £8,000 for men’s mental health, but their dedication doesn’t end there with another 24 hour marathon - this time in collaboration with the Newcastle University Business School (NUBS) Netball team - - where they managed to raise nearly £10,000.

NCL Raiders American Football:

With club secretary Henry Jones admitting that the Raiders ‘hadn’t done anywhere as near as much as we should in previous years in terms of ways to raise funds for

Mech-Eng FC have led the charge in furthering awareness for men’s mental health and prostate cancer support by organising a plethora of activities to raise funds for the cause, including players growing moustaches and committing to a fitness goal of running over 60 kilometres across the month of November, while also organising a car boot and bake sale to to generate strong community engagement and enthusiasm.

While the club aim to surpass their total of £686 from last year, they have recognised the difficulties in reaching such a figure this year due to the change in university sports hall policies, considerably affecting hire fees for all on site events, including one for charity.

“The University’s Dodgeball team certainly haven’t dodged away from raising money”

Movember’, the club

sought a comedic yet effective approach towards raising funds for the charity this year.

With ‘nipple piercings, a 5 kilometre run in boxers and fake tans’ all acting as ways to raise money for this incredible charity, the Raiders have contributed £2,000 this year, smashing their previous total of around £250 in previous years.

Perhaps the most impressive of Mech-Eng’s activities this Movember is their 24 hour overnight walk from Brampton in Cumbria, to Bar Blanc in Jesmond. With the 90 kilometre trek taking place over demanding terrain, players and volunteers alike followed sections of Hadrian’s Wall and endured punishing conditions such as thick mud, bitter snow and steep climbs of

Jones further highlights the importance of Movember to the Raiders personally, commenting that ‘in a sport where physical injuries happen all the time, the mental side is often ignored. We wanted to this month to shine spotlight on something that’s usually overlooked.’

NCL Kings Dodgeball Club

While remedying this by moving this year’s edition of the annual tournament to a nearby school, the club were able to keep the event accessible and as part of the community, with costumes and stuck on moustaches adorning the event proving that recent challenges have done nothing to dim the club’s support for Movember.

Newcastle University Men’s Hockey Club:

In addition, the university Hockey club has focused on a combination of daily challenges to raise awareness of men’s physical and mental health, rather than a singular encompassing event.

“...raise awareness of men’s physical and mental health, rather than a singular encompassing event.”

Likewise, Harry Vincent has been taking daily ice baths whilst interviewing members of different societies to engage in open and frank conversations about men’s mental health, and the importance of reaching out to someone when in need.

Vincent further commented on the appeal Movember has to the Hockey club’s members, referencing the mindset of toughness, resilience, and constantly being ‘fine’ that performance level sport can manifest, and the hardship it creates to acknowledge when you are struggling and need help. By the end of Movember, the club raised an amazing £4,066.

Movember’s Response:

Movember themselves have also commented on the success of Newcastle’s student community in raising funds for the charity and men’s physical and mental health:

“Acknowledge when you are struggling and need help”

View from the AU

Alex Duggan - Sports Officer

This week, I wanted to take the opportunity to share a bit about the Sports Business Awards, which I had the pleasure of attending in London through my role with BUCS. BUCS were shortlisted for National Governing Body/ Organising Body of the Year. It was a great chance to see the wider sports industry up close, and a reminder of how much university sport sits within that bigger picture.

One of the standout parts of the evening was a Q&A with Tessa Sanderson, Richard Whitehead and Duncan Goodhew. They spoke really honestly about their careers, the challenges they faced, and how sport has changed over time. It was interesting hearing their perspectives in a setting that felt quite relaxed rather than overly formal.

I also briefly met Maggie Alphonsi, which was a fantastic moment given her impact on rugby and women’s sport more broadly.

“Mech-Eng have already raised more than £8,000 for men’s mental health” jaminImagecredits:Ben-

The University’s dodgeball team certainly haven’t dodged away from raising money for men’s physical and mental health, with the Kings having raised over £400 from growing moustaches, donations to MoSpace, and by organising a dodgeball tournament involving other societies and members of the public.

INSIDE SPORT THIS WEEK

The rhythm of Festejo: what my cultural dance means to me

Walter Forsey and Oliver Macnicol-Graham have paired up to run kilometres each day - totalling 12km

men who take their lives day in the suicide

‘This year we have already surpassed last year’s total money raised, and we are on target to raise £50,000 for Movember. An immense effort from each society, through charity matches, tournaments, walks, runs, quiz’s, forfeits and fundraising goals have resulted in our most successful year to date and we are so proud of how Newcastle University have come together.’ With the total raised for Movember being £55,115, the whole student community should be extremely proud of themselves for their hard work in raising awareness and funding across a variety of creative and demanding activities!

Sayer

BUCS didn’t win the award in the end, but being nominated reflects the work happening across university sport nationally. For me, it was a good reminder that the things we deal with day to day - supporting clubs, improving participation, keeping student sport ticking - sit within a much larger ecosystem.

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaderss: an impact on modern cheerleading